Barcelona line up Pique replacement following retirement news
Cameron Smith
- 4 Nov 2022 11:07 GMT
- 3 min read
Barcelona have reportedly already identified a possible replacement for Gerard Pique following the Spaniard's sudden retirement announcement.
Pique, 35, posted a video on social media to reveal his final game for Barcelona will come at Camp Nou against Almeria on Friday night.
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The Barcelona legend still has more than 18 months to run on his contract but has seen his form decline, along with a host of issues in his personal life and has decided his Barcelona career will end imminently.
Reports suggest that he will be available for selection in Barcelona's final game before the World Cup against Osasuna, while it remains to be seen whether he's selected in Spain's squad for Qatar after making the initial 55-man team.
READ: Pique set for shock retirement after final match in Barcelona this weekend
However, while Pique ended the aforementioned video with a message saying: "I'll be back," it seems as though his time at Barcelona is over for now.
Despite signing Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde over the summer, Barcelona have been left short of centre-back options in recent weeks, with Xavi even using Marcos Alonso at the heart of a back four against Bayern Munich and Celta Vigo.
As a result, the Blaugrana have already lined up Pique's replacement as they prepare for life without the club legend.
READ: How Gerard Pique could face Barcelona in La Liga despite retirement
Who will be Pique's replacement at Barcelona?
According to Mundo Deportivo, Athletic Club's Inigo Martinez is Barcelona's number one target to replace the outgoing Pique.
Martinez, 31, is out of contract next summer, meaning he will be available on a free transfer. However, it's believed Barcelona may try to persuade Athletic Club to sell him for cheap in January in order to solve their centre-back crisis.
READ: Pique retires a Barcelona legend with one final gesture
The report details that Martinez has a verbal agreement to join Barcelona as a free agent in the 2023 summer transfer window, but Xavi's side may pursue a deal in January if it's deemed a possibility.
Martinez began the 2022/23 season with a knee injury but has made a full recovery and has played in each of Athletic Club's previous eight matches.
