Barcelona center-back Gerard Piqué has received a “substantial” offer from Premier League side Fulham, according to Peruvian newspaper Líbero. Piqué offered to leave the club during his post-game comments, citing Barcelona has hit “rock bottom” and would need a stark change after an 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in last week's UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.
“We feel devastated, although ‘shame' is the real word I'm looking for,” said Piqué after the 8-2 result that bounced him out of the UEFA Champions League, per Reuters (via Sky Sports). “We cannot afford to compete like this because it's not the first, the second or the third time that something like this has happened.
“This is very painful but I hope it serves some purpose… We all need to reflect deeply, the club needs lots of changes, I'm not talking about the coach, players — I don't want to point the finger at anyone but the club needs changes on a structural level.
“If new blood needs to come for the club to change course then I'm not untouchable and I'll be the first to leave if needs be, because it seems as if we've hit rock bottom.
“We all have to reflect about what is the best thing for the club and for Barca.”
Gerard Piqué has played for Barcelona for the past 12 years after coming up with Manchester United and a quick loan spell to Real Zaragoza. Ever since 2008, he's been a staple in the back for Barcelona, but an 8-2 thrashing at the feet of Bayern Munich showed he's truly not the caliber of defender he was in his heyday.
Fulham, which recently earned a promotion to the Premier League, is looking to pounce on that opportunity — though Piqué is tied to Barcelona until 2022 when his contract expires.
Barcelona is cleaning house at the moment after sacking former manager Quique Setien and sporting director Eric Abidal, it's only a matter of time before Gerard Piqué's name comes up, considering he wasn't among the handful of names president Josep Maria Bartomeu pointed as untouchable.
Gerard Piqué is valued at $22 million, according to Transfermarkt. The 33-year-old defender has won eight La Liga titles, six Copa del Rey trophies, and three Champions Leagues in his 12 years with Barcelona.
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