BARCELONA boss Xavi has told Gerard Pique it would be best if he left the club after Jules Kounde’s arrival, reports suggest.
Pique, 35, has fallen out of favour at Barca due to his “unprofessional conduct off the field” and “deteriorating physical condition”.
According to Sport, Xavi told his former team-mate that the “best solution” for everyone would be if he left the club this summer.
It has also been reported that Kounde’s arrival from Sevilla marks Pique’s “sentence” that would ultimately see him leave the Nou Camp.
The LaLiga giants snatched the highly-rated centre-back from Chelsea’s grasp in a deal worth up to £46million.
The France international’s arrival has seen Pique fall even further down the pecking order – he is now fifth in line at centre-back.
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Barcelona president promises Messi will sign, Bernardo Silva offered
The former Spain international is behind Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia.
However, the 35-year-old is adamant he has what it takes to extend his 14-year stint at Barcelona.
In fact, the former Manchester United ace reportedly challenged club president Joan Laporta to bring in a new defender before Kounde’s arrival.
Pique is said to have told Laporta: “I will be the starter.
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“If you dare, bring the best centre-back in the world and he will come to be a substitute.”
Xavi is reportedly planning to pair Araujo and Kounde up at centre-back this coming season.
There is also speculation he could use a back three in a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 formation.
But Pique would still struggle to get in the line-up as his fellow Spaniard prefers Christensen and Garcia.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
