Barcelona at risk of losing 'next Pique' to Arsenal or Chelsea for peanuts

Tom Weber

• Updated: 29 Apr 2024 16:27 BST
• 4 min read

Barcelona are staring in the face of another 'Gerard Pique situation' with Pau Cubarsi, according to Spanish media.

Pique, the legendary former Barcelona centre-back, could have had the illustrious career he went on to have not in Catalunya but in Manchester. The Spaniard was infamously poached from the La Masia academy by Man Utd as a youngster, but, thankfully for Barcelona, things didn't work out for him in England and he eventually returned, becoming a club legend.

Pau Cubarsi is the latest defensive sensation to come out of the Blaugrana's illustrious academy and there are several European giants keen to pounce on the 17-year-old's trifling release clause, which is believed to be 'less than €10 million.'

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Despite his tender years, the centre-back has featured in each of Barcelona's past nine LaLiga games, with only one of those fixtures ending in defeat. Cubarsi has been so impressive, in fact, that Barcelona are ready to cash in on more experienced defenders, such as Jules Kounde, to free up space on the club's wage bill.

Cubarsi to leave?

Yet, things could ultimately be out of Barcelona's hands due to his release clause. Cubarsi signed his first professional deal in the summer, but due to his age, it only runs until 2026. Given his impressive form now, Barcelona are keen to get him to agree to fresh terms, with a €1 billion release clause.

The agreement would also include a verbal pact that would give the club guarantees that Cubarsi will sign a long-term deal - until 2030 - when he turns 18, similar to what has been agreed with 16-year-old wonderkid Lamine Yamal. Cubarsi, Mundo Deportivo asserts, wants to stay at Barcelona, but negotiations are yet to reach a breakthrough.

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This has attracted the attention of Europe's elite. It is claimed that Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City and Bayern Munich are all attentive to the situation and keen to make Cubarsi the next Pique.