Gerard Pique has admitted that Thiago Alcantara could leave Barcelona this summer, but that he must be patient.
The young midfielder, who scored a hat-trick for Spain in yesterday’s UEFA Under-21 Championship Final, is increasingly being linked with an exit from the Camp Nou amid a dropped buyout clause.
“It is a situation that is not easy, with regards the subject of the clause,” conceded Pique to Onda Cero this week.
“He is a great player and has again demonstrated it. Now there is a chance he could go for €18m.
“What we need to do is convince him and make him see that there is no better place than Barcelona.
“Players in his position like Xavi have been patient and have gone on to define an era.”
The defender was also asked of possible reinforcements coming in at the Camp Nou.
“All the names mentioned are at a great level and any would be welcome in arriving. But I think the club have Puyol and he is a player that if he begins well physically, can remain one of the best five centre-backs in the world.
“If he has opted for surgery then it is the best option because he could be able to be with us in preseason and that would be great.”
Pique is currently on international duty at the Confederations Cup and was asked of Iker Casillas’ return to playing.
“I was surprised at how good he has been for the months he has had at Real Madrid.”
Spain were impressive in their opening match against Uruguay and are in line to make the semi-finals, as they face Tahiti this Thursday.
“I think we are doing very well, I think that against Uruguay they only had the one chance, we had the misfortunate that it was a very well taken free-kick from Suarez, but the team performance well defensively.
“We played with a strong intensity, more so than with quality, the formation, and we did not let them breathe. We stole the ball high up on the pitch.
“Everything was fine except for the goal at the end. Beyond that, the team performed at a very good level.
“We have done well, but it is time that show if we are favourites. Uruguay are struggling to qualify, they are not at their best right now, but I would not call us favourites.
“There are teams like Brazil and Italy who will punish us if we do not play well. In football you can play a good game in the end you can still lose.”
