Gerard Pique admits Barcelona must be patient in their pursuit of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas.
Fabregas' future remains uncertain, with UEFA Champions League winners Barca having so far failed to come up with an acceptable offer for the Spain midfielder.
And
Pique,
whose own move back to Camp Nou from
Manchester United
three years ago has paid off in quite astonishing fashion, believes the deal should be allowed to run its course.
Patience"All signings have their due process," said the Spaniard. "Some are easy, some are more complicated.
"He is an important player for
Arsenal
so it is sensible that they are trying to keep him.
"There has been a lot of talk about this, which is normal. It is best to let the negotiations take their due course and see what happens."
Fabregas
has stated his desire to return to his boyhood club after failing to help Arsenal end their six-year wait for silverware last season.
Pique's former club United, however, enjoyed a more successful campaign, lifting a record 19th league championship.
The Spain defender admits he is flabbergasted at how long manager Sir
Alex Ferguson
has remained at the top with the Red Devils.
Ferguson will celebrate an incredible 25 years as Old Trafford chief in November, and during that time he has taken a club forever languishing in
Liverpool's
shadow to the pinnacle of the English game.
Pique, who will face his former club with
Barcelona
in the final friendly of United's pre-season tour in Washington DC on Saturday, says he has nothing but admiration for the Scottish tactician.
Unbelievable"I have never seen anything like this in Spain," he said. "It is unbelievable. I was with him for a few years and know why he is there.
"He is a great coach but he also treats the players really well. It is not only in terms of football. No matter what it is, he will be there for you.
"He has won so many titles and so many important things. All the Manchester United fans are really happy that he has stayed because they never won as much as they do now.
"Most of that is because of him and I hope he stays for many years yet."
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