Pique eyes Cesc and Rooney signings
442 Staff - Friday 19 February 2010, 17:32
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique believes Cesc Fabregas' return to the Camp Nou from Arsenal is inevitable, and also hopes that in-form Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney follows him.
The Arsenal captain continues to be linked with a move back to Catalunya, having left the club's youth ranks to become a Gunner in 2003.
The 22-year-old - who is closing in on 200 league appearances for Arsene Wenger's side - has repeatedly insisted that he is committed to the Emirates Stadium outfit, after reports suggested he had verbally agreed to join Pep Guardiola's side at the end of the season.
But former Manchester United defender Pique says that Barcelona is in the midfielder's blood, and that he will come back in the near future.
"I am not sure if it will happen this year or another, but surely he will end up coming here because he is a Cule and he would like to return," he said.
And as well as Fabregas, Pique revealed that he hopes former Red Devils team-mate Rooney will also switch England for Spain and a transfer to the European champions.
Rooney's second-half brace against AC Milan at the San Siro took his goal tally to 26 in all competitions this season - making him the most lethal marksman in Europe.
Pique - who played alongside Rooney for four years before re-joining Barca in 2008 - said it would be a pleasure to team up with the England international for a second time.
"I had the pleasure of playing with Rooney. I think he is a really good player, one of the top five now in Europe and the world, and I hope he can win titles with United," he said.
"If, in the future he wants to leave, I don't know his opinons on that, but it would be a great pleasure and I hope he can come to Barcelona."
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