Gerard Pique Improvement at Barcelona Will See Transfer Rumours Quashed

When Gerard Pique was photographed having a run in with the local police in Barcelona earlier this season, per Sport, questions were raised over his future at the Catalan club.

Getting into trouble away from work wasn't the only thing hampering the Spanish international, either.

He spent the Catalan Super Cup final against Espanyol sat on the bench playing with his mobile phone, per Metro, supposedly igniting the fury of Luis Enrique.

For the following league game against Celta Vigo, which Barca lost 1-0, he wasn't even included in the squad.

That defeat was followed by a Champions League win over Ajax—Pique watched that one from the bench.

Speaking at the time, Barca boss Enrique dismissed reports of any problems between himself and his central defender. However, like he has been with the recent rumours of an argument with Lionel Messi, he was very abrupt when discussing the subject.

"I will not answer any more questions about Pique," he said, per Sport.

Away from tangling with the cops and texting on the bench, there was also a conception that the 27-year-old had become complacent.

Petros Karadjias/Associated Press

Petros Karadjias/Associated Press

Under Pep Guardiola, he was brilliant—as were all of Barcelona's players. However, as time has passed, accusations have risen that Pique and other players in the squad have lost a tiny bit of motivation.

Not a great deal, but enough to make performances suffer. Maybe Pique needed to have the fire put back in his belly?

It could be that the arrival of the perennially injured Thomas Vermaelen and the signing of Frenchman Jeremy Mathieu have provided the necessary competition to lift Pique's performances again.

It could also be that by leaving him out, Enrique’s methods have had the desired effect on the player.

Whatever it is, it can't be argued that Pique has been very good in recent weeks.

Since the end of November, he's reestablished himself as an ever-present in the Barca side, he has looked composed on the ball, he has defended well and he has struck up his old partnership with Javier Mascherano.

Keep in mind this is a Barcelona side that have conceded just nine goals in their 19 league games so far this season.

Pique has also contributed at the other end with goals in league wins over Espanyol and Cordoba—he was also on target in Europe against APOEL Nicosia earlier in the season.

That transfer stories are still circulating with his name attached to them is bizarre.

Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press

GREGORIO BORGIA/Associated Press

British newspaper the Daily Express cites reports in Spain when linking Louis van Gaal's Manchester United with a move for their former defender:

"

United are expected to table a £15 million bid for Pique, with Chelsea also showing an interest.

He started his youth career with the La Liga giants before securing a move to United in 2004 after being spotted by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Pique made a few appearances for the Red Devils before returning to Barcelona in 2008 for a bargain £5 million.

"

Aside from just his return to form and his prominence in Enrique's XI at the moment, there is another very big reason why United, or any other club, are unlikely to get their hands on him in January.

Barca are unable to sign players until 2016 due to the transfer ban imposed on them by FIFA.

To flog Pique would leave them with midfielder-cum-defender Mascherano, Mathieu, Marc Bartra and Vermaelen, who is out of action until at least April.

Any club with desires on Pique is going to have to look elsewhere this month.