Gerard Pique has created further intrigue surrounding the future of Cesc Fabregas, by getting recorded saying that the playmaker is leaving Barcelona in a 33-million-euro deal.
Pique was talking to Spanish manager Vicente Del Bosque ahead of a scheduled news conference and seemed to say Fabregas had told him he was leaving for an unnamed club, only for microphones to pick up their exchange -- but there remains the possibility it was a deliberate attempt at leading the media astray.
Renowned as a practical joker, Pique could be seen smiling throughout the conversation with Del Bosque. At the same time, the discussion would appear a development of information already known about Fabregas' situation, and there was a conspicuous candidness about the way both spoke.
Barcelona are known to be open to the idea of selling Cesc and, on sitting down to face media, Pique told his coach he was going "to defend Cesc a bit."
Del Bosque laughed before the defender added: "He's told me it's already done."
When asked by his manager, "Him?" Pique responded: "Yeah, he's gone ... 33 million, he's told me."
Both Chelsea and Manchester United are known to have some interest in signing Fabregas, but that so far does not extend to the managers. Sources have stated that both Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho would at present prefer to strengthen in other areas.
While Fabregas has become more of an advanced attacking midfielder, Van Gaal is said to favour a more physical type who plays a little further back.