Gerard Pique claims Cristiano Ronaldo was close to joining Barcelona

Gerard Pique has claimed that Cristiano Ronaldo was close to joining Barcelona before eventually signing for Real Madrid.

Ronaldo moved to Madrid from Manchester United in 2009 for a then-world record fee of £80m, and went on to score 450 goals in 438 games, including 18 against Barcelona.

However, according to Pique, Ronaldo's career could have been entirely different, and the former United teammates could have played again together at Nou Camp.

“Cristiano was once close to Barca before he signed for Madrid. Same for Vinicius,” Pique said on Ibai’s Twitch channel.

Pique also spoke about Barca's No 1 summer transfer target, Erling Haaland, adding: "I think Haaland is coming to La Liga. I want the best players with me. This is my opinion, not information."

Haaland has been linked with a move to a number of European clubs, with both Real Madrid and Barcelona vying for his signature in the summer.

Pique added: “Having Haaland and Mbappe would be good for La Liga and football in general. But if I had to make a bet, I would say that they would not play in the same team. If they move from their clubs now, anyway.”

Mbappe is reportedly on his way to Real Madrid this summer, if a report from BILD is to be believed. They claim that the 23-year-old has reportedly agreed a deal with Los Blancos, making him the highest-paid footballer in the world right now.