Piqué’s discussion with Laporta: Bring in the best stopper in the world and he’ll be my understudy

Gerard Piqué is not having the best of careers. After problems in his personal life, Barcelona, the club where he has spent the vast majority of his career, wants to replace him. But he is not about to vacate his place.

Piqué is going through one of the worst periods of his career. First, it broke that the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, is a close friend of the Spanish defender and it was Piqué who was behind the Spanish Super Cup being moved to Saudi Arabia. This is because Piqué’s company made money from it, which many believe put him in a conflict of interest.

In the wiretaps, among other things, Piqué was heard bad-mouthing his national team mate, Sergio Ramos, and there was much confusion about the rapid and suspicious progress of Andorra FC, a club owned by Piqué.

Add to that the 35-year-old footballer’s infidelity snapped last week when his long-time partner and famous Colombian singer, Shakira, broke up with him. But the torrid times continue.

The Catalan-born player is no longer in demand even in his home city of Barcelona. There have been reports in the Spanish media that both Xavi and president Joan Laporta were to ask Piqué to leave the club, only it will be very difficult.

In fact, last year it was presented that Piqué took a pay cut to help the club in its financial crisis. But he didn’t exactly take a pay cut, he just postponed it until next year. And he is not going to take a cut this year. So Barcelona must pay Piqué this year not only his current salary, but also that of last season. In total, the Blaugranas must pay Piqué €80 million.

Bring in the best stopper in the world

According to well-informed journalist Xavi Torres of OnzeTv3, there was supposed to be a big discussion between Pique and president Joan Laporta at the Camp Nou offices.

Both Xavi and Laporta wanted the stopper to return to fitness and physical readiness and not to wage so many open wars, alluding to the aforementioned scandals.

Piqué had to promise both of them that he would suspend his business activities for the next two years. That’s how long he has left on his contract at Barcelona.

Journalist Xavier Valls then reported on the progress of the negotiations. President Laporta was supposed to tell Piqué that he would bring in an elite stopper who would be competition for the experienced defender.

“I will be in the base. If you have the courage, bring the best stopper in the world and he will be my understudy,” Piqué replied, according to Valls.

That’s how confident the 35-year-old Culés defender is about his position. He gave at times unsteady performances last season and Barcelona fans have been calling for his departure, as well as other older players who they say no longer have the standard for the Catalan club and are taking the place of younger ones.

Source: MARCA, OnzeTv3