Barcelona Transfer News: Gerard Pique Set to Stay, Munir El Haddadi Eyed

Gerard Pique's future at Barcelona has been questioned of late with the 27-year-old having fallen somewhat out of favour with Camp Nou boss Luis Enrique.

The Spanish centre-back has spent some time on the bench and has started just eight of Barca's 14 league games so far this season.

Indeed, Ben Jefferson in the Express recently reported that Pique may be shipped out of the Catalan giants in the January transfer window.

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However, with summer defensive recruit Thomas Vermaelen having recently undergone surgery and set to be out for four months, per the club's website, it now seems unlikely that Barca will move Pique on, especially considering their current transfer embargo.

Enrique has been reported as being unhappy with Pique's attitude, but the Camp Nou manager has recently given his backing to the former Manchester United man, per Mark Doyle on Goal.com:

"

Tactically speaking, he's great at bringing the ball out and is a very complete player. I'm pleased with his contribution since the beginning of the season.

"

Pique has become a Barca stalwart since returning to the club in 2008, but there have been recent concerns about his lack of consistency, per beIN Sports' Andres Cordero:

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When Pique has a good match, someone inevitably asks if he's only mentioned when poor. Consistency is better than rare moments of greatness.

— Andres Cordero (@DreCordero) December 7, 2014"

He now looks set to be definitely staying at the club, and his form could well be key as Barca look to catch Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table.

One player who may be on his way out of Barcelona is youngster Munir El Haddadi. The 19-year-old midfielder has managed to break his way into the first team this season but is now being eyed by Arsenal, per Fichajes.net (h/t Tyrone Marshall in The Mirror)

The report suggests Munir is open to a move having not started a game for the last month and thus is looking for first-team football elsewhere.

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A versatile attacker, he has been described as the heir apparent to Lionel Messi, per Eurosport, and is likely to improve dramatically with a long run of appearances.

Certainly with Munir's pace and skill he would fit well into Arsenal's setup, and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger could well be the ideal person to mould him into a world-class player, given the Frenchman's history with developing young talent.

However, with the transfer ban not set to be lifted until January 2016, Barcelona are unlikely to be prepared to move any player on, let alone one of their brightest young stars, and Arsenal would have to put in a very attractive bid to lure Munir away from the Camp Nou.