The father of Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has revealed he came close to joining Juventus.

Pique moved to Manchester United in 2004 and, after a loan stint at Real Zaragoza, he seemingly caught the attention of the Italian giants.

"Gerard was a step away from signing for Juventus before the Barcelona switch," Joan Pique told Spanish radio show El non a RAC1.

Instead, the 24-year-old signed for the European champions where he has now developed into one of Europe's top centre-backs.