Gerard Pique fires back at Barcelona after being told he has no future

'If you have guts, sign the world's best centre back. He'll be a sub'

Gerard Pique has fired back at Barcelona and claimed that he is good enough to 'bench' any defender that joins the club after he was told he was surplus to requirements.

Pique has been told he has no future at the club

The Spaniard was told he had no future to the club, with the defender's conduct off the pitch becoming a concern for the Catalan giants, especially his ever-growing business interests having become the founder of a number of start up companies. Barcelona are set to confirm the signing of Andreas Christensen in the coming days and have also been linked with moves for Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli and Joules Kounde at Sevilla, with Barça president Joan Laporta suggesting the club need to bring in a top quality defender. But Pique, who is under contract until 2024, according to Sport said that he will be a starter at the Camp Nou - no matter who comes in. "I'll be a starter. If you have the guts, bring the best central defender in the world, who will come as a substitute," he said.

Barcelona looking to offload a number of first-team players on big wages

The 35-year-old is under contract at the club for two more years, however reports have suggested that the club owe him as much as £34.3m in unpaid wages due to the club's embarrassingly bad financial state. Pique is one of a number of players that Xavi and co. are looking at moving on in an attempt to restore some financial respect to their name. Fellow defender Clement Lenglet is another one who could be heading for the exit door, while the future of Frenkie de Jong remains uncertain as he continues to be linked with a move to Manchester United. Related links:

• Barcelona financial chief claims €500m is needed to ‘save’ the club
• Frenkie de Jong: Man United ‘very close’ to agreement with Barcelona
• Barcelona ‘unable to register new signings Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen’