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What Gerard Pique Said About Real Madrid's Spending In 2013

What Gerard Pique Said About Real Madrid's Spending In 2013

His quotes have resurfaced after Coutinho's £142 million move.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Gerard Pique's comments on Real Madrid's spending in the summer of 2013 have resurfaced, following Barcelona's club-record capture of Philippe Coutinho.

At the time, Real had splashed out big money on Asier Illarramendi, Isco and Gareth Bale in a bid to add to improve a squad that had majorly underperformed the season prior.

Pique was vocal about that spending spree and said Barcelona did not need to spend big to compete with Real.

Image: PA
Image: PA

"Real Madrid had a year without winning titles and spend €160 million on three players - Illarramendi, Isco and Gareth Bale," he is quoted as saying to MARCA, via Goal.

"Barcelona doesn't have to do this. Barcelona can sign Neymar for €60 or €70 million but not three players.

"We know we are different because we can compete with them without spending that money."

While Barcelona and Real inevitably have different ways of working when it comes to their transfer strategy and profile of player, Pique has been made to look a tad silly as Barca have just forked out the second-highest transfer fee in history in signing Coutinho for £142 million.


Image: PA
Image: PA


Sadly for the Blaugrana defender, he's got a bit of a habit of saying things that come back to haunt him, having said Neymar was staying in the summer.

Meanwhile, Coutinho has penned a five-and-a-half year contract and has a €400 million release clause in his deal.

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Topics: Football, Barcelona, Philippe Coutinho, Gerard Pique, Real Madrid