Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Gerard Pique and Paulo Dybala

Barcelona's 2015 transfer embargo means the club have dim prospects leading up to this summer, but defender Gerard Pique has given the club new faith in his loyalties, while the Blaugrana may seek to sign Palermo striker Paulo Dybala in 2016.

Pique has iterated on numerous occasions his desire to retire at the Camp Nou and fend off any transfer interest, as quoted by the Daily Star's Jack Wilson, once again rubber-stamping his future at the club this week: "I love this profession more and more each day and I'd like to keep on playing. I can safely say that I plan to retire here at Barca, whether that's at the end of this season or six years from now. I won't play for another club."

Fernando Bustamante/Associated Press

At 28 years of age, Barca boss Luis Enrique can only hope the centre-back maintains form and continues to earn his place in the side, having impressed following some slight setbacks earlier this season.

The defender scored in Wednesday's Copa del Rey win over Villarreal which, as pointed out by Barcastuff, brings Pique's scoring past any previous best while also maintaining a strong defensive presence:

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Image: Goals scored by Pique at club level, per season since 2005/2006 #fcblive [opta] pic.twitter.com/I8bMGCZeeq

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) February 12, 2015"

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Pique won 7 aerial duels during the game against Villarreal. No other player (both teams) won more than 2. #fcblive [via #barca19stats]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) February 12, 2015"

Wilson mentions former club Manchester United and Chelsea as some of those teams linked with Pique's services in recent months, but his comments would effectively rule out any possibility of an exit—now or in the future.

Spanish writer Sergi Dominguez agrees that Pique has been a pivotal part of Enrique's plans this season, even after falling through the ranks of the Spanish national team last year:

Barca may not be so confident in landing Dybala, however, as the Press Association (h/t ESPN FC) reports that Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are among those looking to sign the talent this summer.

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has been quoted by Italian newspaper Tuttosport (h/t Sky Sports) as saying the striker will be sold this summer, which would see Enrique miss out on any chance at his signature:

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I will sell him, I am almost certain of this. (Juventus general director Giuseppe) Marotta told me that they are very interested in the player. They (Juve) are ready to negotiate. I have warned Marotta already that I've had so many offers for Dybala from half of the teams in Europe. Chelsea, PSG and other English and Spanish clubs.

We had an agreement with Dybala for 9million (euros a year) but the next day everything changed. I was told that Dybala would no longer sign and that he now wanted up to 15million (euros) in wages. No way! This is the fault of those that surround him. They have made him lose all sense of reality. I had treated him like a son having spent 12million euros to acquire him. I will not speak to Dybala again. I will appoint a company to negotiate Dybala's sale.

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However, if Palermo choose to hold on to Dybala's services, Diario Sport (via Dominguez) says that Barcelona will raise their interest next winter, at which point their transfer ban will be a thing of the past:

Dybala has soared on the Serie A scene this season, scoring 11 goals in 21 Serie A appearances and earning the attention of Europe's giants in the process.

What's more, the Argentinian has spoken favourably regarding a potential move to the Camp Nou, telling Italian magazine Guerin Sportivo (h/t Goal.com's Alex Young) of his "dream" to play for Barca: "When I play with the Playstation, I always choose Barcelona or Manchester City. I dream to play one day with one of those clubs."

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Young's report mentions Zamparini slapping a price tag of £31 million on the player, who, in 2012, cost him just £12 million. But money isn't the issue in this instance.

Barcelona would undoubtedly be equipped to meet such requirements, but if the Palermo president is so keen to offload his wantaway forward this summer, Barca will have no say in his destination thanks to their ban.

Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images

In the off-chance that no team comes in for the South American, Barca may retain some hope of linking the 21-year-old up with countryman Lionel Messi in the hopes of creating an even deadlier force of attack.

With Neymar and Luis Suarez already reigning in Catalan country, it's difficult to see where a budding Dybala would fit in, but it wouldn't be the first time that strength in numbers has been Barca's main dilemma.