Gerard Pique has insisted that he has no interest in a January move back to Manchester United as he intends to finish his career with Barcelona.

The Red Devils have been linked with a £20m raid for their former youth star in January amid reports that he’s no longer seen as a key player at the Camp Nou.

Although he’s been a big part of Barca’s recent successes, a dip in form has seen the 27-year-old slip in and out of Luis Enrique’s XI this term.

WANT MORE? >> Manchester United transfer news | Latest transfer news

United and Chelsea are watching the Spaniard – who has a World Cup winner’s medal – but the commanding centre-back is adamant that he has no desire to leave his boyhood club for a return to Old Trafford:

“I was really happy and left a lot of friends [in Manchester], even if I didn’t play as much as I’d wanted, but I’ve always said I want to stay here all my career and retire at Barcelona,” he is quoted by Goal.

“At Manchester United I had Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic ahead of me, players who were never injured, never red carded … f**king hard [to dislodge] but this is the first time at Barcelona I’m not playing as much as I want to.

“A lot of people say: ‘Pique is not fit or not playing well’ but Pique is really playing well. After the World Cup I admitted I maybe hadn’t been at my level but, in pre-season, I worked really hard and I’m really happy about my performances during the season.

“At the moment I’m not thinking about leaving. I’m really happy if it’s true that United want me but I’m a Barcelona fan, I have been since I was a kid. I want to stay here.”

[ad_pod ]

[ad_pod id=’ricco’ align=’center’]