Barcelona want Pique departure in January
Karan Tejwani
- 22 Oct 2022 11:35 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona are planning for the future and have ideas in place for how their squad will look next season, with Gerard Pique not part of their plans for the campaign.
Pique wasn’t a major part of Barcelona’s plans this season but has been playing with the first team in recent weeks with options ahead of him struggling with injury issues.
Now, it’s believed that Pique isn’t a part of Barcelona’s plans next season, with the defender in the final months of his contract and the club aren’t going to give him an extension.
READ: Pique and Busquets gone: How Barcelona could line up without their four captains
The Blaugrana may also look to facilitate an exit for him in January, as they look to cut down on their wage bill and make room for others.
Related articles
Barcelona willing to let Pique go
According to reports in Spain, Barcelona don’t see Pique as part of their plans and letting him go early could see them save plenty in wages.
This week, Barcelona played Villarreal and Pique was replaced by Marcos Alonso at centre-back, with Jordi Alba playing on the left, showing Xavi’s lack of faith in him.
READ: Atletico Madrid could be Pique's surprise next destination
Pique has been largely inconsistent for the last few months and has slipped down to becoming the club’s sixth-choice centre-half, with others preferred over him in the first team.
(🌕) JUST IN: Barcelona have started planning for next season *without* their current 4 captains, Busquets, Pique, Alba and Roberto. @samuelmarsden @moillorens #Transfers 👥🚨
— Reshad Rahman ✆ (@ReshadRahman_) October 21, 2022
He is also owed big wages he deferred during the club’s financial troubles, with up to €70 million going his way over the next few years as part of his deferral agreement.
Pique was jeered when he came on the pitch, but has the backing of manager Xavi, however it is clear that he is not as admired as he once was at the club.
Earlier this week it was reported that Barcelona are planning for next season without their four captains: Pique, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto, all of whom could leave at the end of the season.
