Transfer News: Chelsea, Man Utd, And Arsenal In Formal Talks With FC Barcelona To Acquire Unsettled Defender In January

Premier League trio Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal are reported to have made respective formal approaches to FC Barcelona to acquire unsettled defender Gerrard Pique in January, according to sources in Spain.

The said clubs have placed bids within the range of £20-£24million to entice the Nou Camp outfit to let go of the vastly experienced 27-year-old.

He is no longer assured of his role as a regular starter under new overseer Luis Enrique, having been omitted from the squad twice in the La Liga, while riding the bench in three instances that included two Champions League fixtures, increasing the probability of the move all the more. Included on his resume is a sextuple-winning season under Pep Guardiola, and he has also held his hand on the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship trophy in 2012.

The Blues are believed to be the frontrunners in signing Pique, with La Masia batchmate Cesc Fabregas perceived to play a significant role in personally convincing the former Red Devil.

Jose Mourinho will need a reliable central defender that can take the place of the ageing John Terry, whose contract is renewed on a year-to-year basis depending on his form, pursuant to club policy.

Meanwhile, United and Arsenal plainly lack personnel to man the middle of the defensive line. The departure of the slackened Rio Ferdinand as well as the injury-prone Nemanja Vidic left Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal with not much of a choice but to utilise untested youngsters, which opposing teams are apparently able to take advantage of.

Arsene Wenger has yet to fill the void left by former Gunners skipper Thomas Vermaelen, who moved to Barcelona during the summer transfer window.

For more football news, follow IBTimes Sport on Twitter.