Chelsea have stepped up their interest in Gerard Pique by reportedly making an official £23.6 million bid for the Barcelona defender.
The Spain centre-back is believed to be interested in making a move from Barcelona in search of a new challenge, having achieved everything at the Catalan club.
Manchester United were earlier thought to be leading the race to re-sign Pique, with there being reports of the Red Devils lining up a 20 million bid for the 27-year-old defender.
However, now the Metro claims that Chelsea are leading the race to sign the Spanish centre-back, who re-joined Barcelona from Manchester United in the summer of 2008, by making a £23.6 million bid.
Having already signed Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona for a reported €33 million this summer, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in bringing Pique to Stamford Bridge as the Blues only have two experienced centre-backs – John Terry and Gary Cahill — following the departure of David Luiz to Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
The Spaniard is reportedly being considered as a long-term replacement for the Blues ageing captain John Terry, who may be leaving Stamford Bridge following the expiration of his contract this summer.
Source: IBTimes
