Barcelona are allegedly keen to sever ties with Gerard Pique after winning the race to sign Jules Kounde from Sevilla.
On Thursday, Barcelona confirmed that they had pipped Chelsea to the signing of France international Kounde, who arrives at Camp Nou for a £42m fee.
Kounde is the second central defender to sign for Xavi's side ahead of the 2022-23 season, with Andreas Christensen also joining La Blaugrana as a free agent from Chelsea.
With Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia also competing for minutes in Barcelona's backline, the writing is apparently on the wall for 35-year-old Pique.
According to Spanish outlet Sport, Barcelona boss Xavi has told Pique that he is not in his plans for the upcoming campaign, and the centre-back could soon be on the lookout for a new club.
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The report adds that Pique still believes that he has a lot to offer Barcelona despite his advancing years, but Xavi does not see a way back for the Spaniard at Camp Nou.
Pique and Colombian singer Shakira announced their high-profile split earlier this year, and Barcelona are said to have been left unimpressed with the defender's "unprofessional behaviour."
Pique is still under contract at Barcelona until the summer of 2024, so any potential suitors would likely have to cough up a small fee to prise him away from Camp Nou.
The former Manchester United man - who came through Barcelona's youth academy - has spent the last 14 years on the books in Catalonia after leaving Old Trafford in 2008.
Pique has racked up 53 goals and 13 assists in 606 matches for Barcelona in that time, which puts him fifth in the club's all-time appearance list behind Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Lionel Messi.
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The 102-cap Spain international has won a whopping 30 major honours during his time as a senior Barcelona player, including eight La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns.
Kounde represents cash-strapped Barcelona's fifth signing of the summer window, following Christensen, Franck Kessie, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha to Catalonia.
Sevilla director Monchi has since revealed that Chelsea had agreed a £55m deal with his club, but Barcelona hijacked a move after the Blues stalled, telling SFC Radio: "Last Thursday we had an agreement with Chelsea and the player. When everything was closed and there was a good offer, everything stopped. And that's where Barcelona appeared.
"The first time he contacted was last Monday, with Mateu [Alemany]. Barca made an effort and closed itself. Kounde was agreed to sell to Chelsea, there was an agreement with the player.
"At the club, they hesitated and said they wanted to wait. That wait was delayed and Barcelona appeared. It's true that Chelsea then wanted to come back, but Barca's offer in the end was better."
Kounde is yet to fully complete his move to Barcelona - with his medical and contract signing still to be finalised - and will therefore not make his debut in Sunday's pre-season friendly with New York Red Bulls.
Ben Knapton
