Former Manchester United defender Gerard Pique hopes Barcelona can persuade Thiago Alcantara to stay at the Nou Camp.
The Spanish youngster scored a hat-trick during the European Under-21 Championship final victory over Italy on Tuesday night and has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford this summer.
However, his future at the Camp Nou has been cast into doubt.
Alcantara made just 15 starts in La Liga last season, struggling to hold down a place in the first team, where he faces stiff competition from the likes of Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez.
According to reports in Spain, he has already decided to leave Barcelona, with the Red Devils and Bayern Munich reportedly the two clubs that have shown the most interest in him.
Either club could seal his signature shortly by paying his 18million-euro buy-out clause before 31 July, after which his transfer fee will rise.
Speaking to radio programme Al Primer Toque on Onda Cero, Barca centre-back Pique urged his club to hold on to the 22-year-old, who he believes could become as important to the team in the future as Xavi and Iniesta.
"There is a possibility that he could leave but we have to convince him that the best place for him is Barcelona," said Pique. "Players in his position like Xavi were patient and they ended up defining an era."
The Spanish youngster scored a hat-trick during the European Under-21 Championship final victory over Italy on Tuesday night and has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford this summer.
However, his future at the Camp Nou has been cast into doubt.
Alcantara made just 15 starts in La Liga last season, struggling to hold down a place in the first team, where he faces stiff competition from the likes of Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez.
According to reports in Spain, he has already decided to leave Barcelona, with the Red Devils and Bayern Munich reportedly the two clubs that have shown the most interest in him.
Either club could seal his signature shortly by paying his 18million-euro buy-out clause before 31 July, after which his transfer fee will rise.
Speaking to radio programme Al Primer Toque on Onda Cero, Barca centre-back Pique urged his club to hold on to the 22-year-old, who he believes could become as important to the team in the future as Xavi and Iniesta.
"There is a possibility that he could leave but we have to convince him that the best place for him is Barcelona," said Pique. "Players in his position like Xavi were patient and they ended up defining an era."
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