Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Nabil Fekir Rumours and Gerard Pique Exit

Lyon forward Nabil Fekir has opened up on his intentions to represent a "top" club like Barcelona, while Blaugrana centre-back Gerard Pique has dismissed rumours linking him with a Pep Guardiola reunion at Manchester City.

Fekir has been sidelined since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in September. The attacker was asked if he'd like to play under compatriot Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid, but he told French television show Canal Football Club he'd also love to represent Barcelona (h/t ESPN FC's Mark Rodden):

"

If tomorrow he calls me, I would never refuse him. That's in the back of my mind too. It's good that I'm at Lyon today. It's a very big club. But I want to aim for the top... Barca, Real, Bayern, PSG. Why not? You have to be ambitious and I am so we'll see what happens.

"

The 22-year-old has been tipped as one of the brightest prospects in Ligue 1, but the injury suffered earlier this season—during his first start for France—has delayed his development.

That being said, many are still pulling for Fekir to move past his injury and fulfil his potential, with RMC correspondent Philippe Auclair and Bleacher Report's Andrew Gibney among his admirers:

The Lyon marvel got off to a dazzling start this season and scored four goals in four appearances prior to his setback, evidence of the supreme scoring talent he boasts and will be hoping to recapture once fit.

That being said, it's difficult to see where Fekir would fit in a Barcelona attack that already comprises Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, meaning it may be a while before he lands a move to the Camp Nou.

Vladimir Rys Photography/Getty Images

One figure poised to stick around at the Camp Nou is defensive stalwart Pique, who has rejected the notion of linking up with former Barca boss Guardiola once he takes over at Manchester City this summer.

Pique answered questions in a live Periscope session earlier this week and admitted that while he admires former mentor Guardiola, he couldn't betray old outfit Manchester United, per Sky Sports:

"

My love for Manchester United is too great for me to sign for City, even though Pep is a great coach. 

[...]

I'm very happy in Barcelona. United are my second club, but my future is at Barca. I'm very proud to play at Barcelona. I think it's the best club in the world.

I would like to try a different league when I've got a few years to go before retiring. I don't know if it will be Colombia, I'd like that for [partner] Shakira, but nobody can predict the future.

"

It's been eight years since Pique left Old Trafford to rejoin his boyhood club, and the centre-back is now widely considered one of Europe's most consistent defensive talents and a crucial member of the Blaugrana setup.

After picking up a yellow card to rule him out of the Champions League second-leg tie against Arsenal, Pique's importance to Luis Enrique's XI was outlined by ESPN FC's Liam Twomey:

News of the 29-year-old's Barcelona unwavering loyalties will be like music to fans' ears, with Pique having played such a pivotal role for the club in recent times and featuring as an ever-present figure in last season's treble success.

Guardiola would undoubtedly love to get his hands on Pique considering it was he who brought the defender back from United in 2008, but it appears there will be no reunion for the pair in England.