Barca to reward Pique

Catalan giants keen to keep defender at Camp Nou until 2015

By Francisco Acedo   Last updated: 22nd January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Barca to reward Pique

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Barcelona are keen to secure the services of Gerard Pique on a new long-term contract.

So impressed have the Catalan giants been by the centre-half since he returned to his homeland from Manchester United in 2008 that they want to ensure he sees out his playing days at Camp Nou.

A deal which will run until the summer of 2015 is reported to have been readied by Barca officials, with the option for extensions to that agreement to be put in place when required.

Sporting director Txiki Begiristain has been charged with overseeing the drawing up of the contract and ensuring it is signed.

Barca are also looking to include a clause in the deal which will see Pique's buy-out valuation increased to €150million (£131m).

Pique, who was born and raised in Catalunya, has also insisted that he would be happy to prolong his association with the club.

The 22-year-old had recently been linked with a return to England with Manchester City, but Barca have made it clear that they are unwilling to sanction a sale and the Spain international has now expressed no desire to leave.