According to Sport, Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is set to sign a contract extension that will keep him at Camp Nou until 2014. Since arriving at Barca from Manchester United in 2008, Pique has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona back line that achieved unprecedented success in the intervening season and a half.

It is understood that Barca’s sporting director Txiki Begiristain and Pique’s advisor, Arturo Canales, have already had tentative talks on a renewal and club president Joan Laporta has been quoted as saying Pique is next on the list of players the club wants to tie down to a longer deal.

“Pique will be next to renew his contract because he deserves it. Today, Gerard is one of the best central defenders in the world,” Laporta is quoted as saying.

It is believed that the new deal for the 22-year-old defender will see him earn in the region of €5 million with his buyout clause set to rise from €50 million to €150 million in line with recent renewals.