Barcelona fear Real Madrid raid for Pique

Barcelona are moving to head-off interest from Real Madrid for defender Gerard Pique.

El Mundo Deportivo says Barca want to open new contract talks with the former Manchester United centre-half with the view to increasing his buyout clause to £40 million.

Barca are making the move over fears that Real president Florentino Perez will attempt to sign Pique at the end of this season.