Barcelona Transfer News: Luis Enrique Must Not Sell Gerard Pique in January

The opening of the January transfer window is only a few short weeks away, with the rumour mill constantly linking Gerard Pique with a move away from Barcelona.

The World Cup winner has fallen down the pecking order at the Camp Nou this season after Luis Enrique took control of the club in the summer.

The player is now the third choice behind new arrival Jeremy Mathieu and Argentina international Javier Mascherano, prompting a number of top teams to circle above the potential fallout—ready to grab the centre-back.

Pique has recently been linked to former club Manchester United and Chelsea, per Ben Jefferson of the Express, with Enrique thought to be keen to offload the 27-year-old.

Jefferson says the Barca coach is "growing tired of the defender's lack of professionalism," and with Thomas Vermaelen purchased from Arsenal, Pique's career at Barca did seem to be over. But the perennially injured Belgium international is out for the foreseeable future after undergoing surgery for a hamstring injury, per Sky Sports.

The defender will be out for another four months, changing Pique's short-term outlook considerably.  

Pique has also spoken about a possible exit from Barca and appears keen to stay and fight for his place.   

Themba Hadebe/Associated Press

Hamish Mackay of the Mail Online quoted the player speaking to Movistar TV, saying he wants to battle for his starting berth: "I think not to play two or three matches (and then leave) would not be consistent. Barcelona is my life, and I do not plan to leave. I will continue to fight for a place."

The Catalan club are certainly in a transitional phase at present, and it is not completely surprising that Pique has missed games. The defender has started seven times in La Liga this campaign, per WhoScored.com, finding himself planted on the bench.

Rodolfo Molina/Associated Press

But with Vermaelen now confirmed out, the timing to allow Pique to move on is completely wrong.

One more significant injury to any of Barca's defensive stock, and Pique would be back in the side on a full-time basis.

The Catalan team has never excelled in the defensive areas in previous guises, even when dominating at home and abroad. But Enrique is clearly keen to create a strong spine, and selling Pique in January could severely compromise the team's title chances.

Pique is an experienced individual and has performed well in recent matches—proving he has a value to the club. But football writer Sergi Dominguez believes the player does not fit Enrique's tactics, as he highlighted recently:

Despite the tactical issues, Pique is a winner, and Enrique needs him during this difficult time. The manager is trying to find a way to drive his side forward, and if he sacrifices Pique in this present moment, he is tempting fate with a defensive crisis.

Pique has plenty of legs left in his game, and selling him would currently be nonsensical. He may not be the leader that Enrique wants, but he can give vital cover until the summer months at the very least.