Gerard Pique to Manchester City: Barcelona defender will not sign for Pep Guardiola due to 'love for Man United'
The Barcelona defender has been linked with a move to Manchester City in the summer but has played down talk of a return to the Premier League
Gerard Pique will turn down any chance to follow Pep Guardiola to Manchester City because of his relationship with their rival club, Manchester United.
29-year-old Pique developed into one of the world’s best defenders under Guardiola’s management at Barcelona, where they won three La Liga titles together as well as the Champions League in 2008/09 and 2010/11.
The news that Guardiola will replace current City manager Manuel Pellegrini – revealed by the Chilean himself last month – triggered speculation that Spain international Pique could be targeted in the summer by his former coach as part of a summer revamp.
But the Barcelona centre-back has spoken out to reject any chance of joining City due to his four-year spell with United early in his career.
“My love for Manchester United is too big to let me even consider signing for City one day, even with Guardiola in charge” Pique admitted this week.
Pique did admit though that he will one day leave Barcelona and Spain in order to play in another country before he retires, and even hinted that South America could be a possible destination when the time it right to leave the Nou Camp.
“I would like to try out a different league for a couple of years at some point before I retire,” he added. “I don't know whether Colombia might be an option for me, but only because of Shakira. But you can never predict what'll happen in the future.”
Pique already has success in England to his name, having been part of the Manchester United side that claimed a Champions League and Premier League double in 2007/08, before returning to his childhood club at the end of that season.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments