FCBARCELONA.CAT

23.05.2008 16:31

Piqué: “The negotiations are at an advanced stage”

Vanessa Forns

Manchester United’s Gerard Piqué has commented that his negotiations to join the FC Barcelona first team are “at an advanced stage”.

Gerard Piqué, one of the players named in the Catalonia squad for Saturday’s game with Argentina at the Camp Nou, has confirmed after training with Pere Gratacós’ team at the Miniestadi that, as was already hinted at by Txiki Begiristain, “The negotiations with Barça are at an advanced stage”.

Player keeping quiet

Prudent as ever, Piqué stressed that “nothing is official yet. From here on, we have to wait and see what happens.” The 21 year old also explained that “right now the decision is in other people’s hands ... while nothing is official I am not imagining myself wearing any other shirt, because anything could happen yet”.

Champion of Europe

Piqué could not train with the squad because of problems with his flight to Barcelona, but would rather “focus on Saturday’s game” and once its over “get some rest, because these have been tough days”, in reference to Manchester United’s important games in both the Premiership and the Champions League, both of which his club won.

Always keen to return

Gerard Piqué left FC Barcelona in 2004 at the age of 17, leaving the junior side to try his luck in England. But he has said “the doors have always been open” to a return to Barcelona. “I like the idea of being able to come back to play for Barça” he added.