Father: 'Gerard Pique nearly joined Juventus'

The father of Barcelona's Gerard Pique has revealed that his son almost joined Juventus when he left Manchester United in 2008.

The Spanish defender's father, Joan Pique, has claimed that talks were at an advanced stage with Juve before Barca lodged a bid.

"Gerard was very close to joining Juve before he signed for Barcelona," Joan Pique told RAC 1.

Pique progressed through the Barca youth system before joining United in 2004.