Gerard Pique: 'Thiago Alcantara must stay at Barcelona'

Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique has urged the club to do everything they can to keep Thiago Alcantara amid interest from other European teams.

Alcantara, who starred in Spain's U21 Euro 2013 final win over Italy on Tuesday night with a hat-trick, has been tipped by Pique as "the future" of Barcelona.

"There is a possibility that he could leave but we have to convince him that the best place for him is Barcelona," Pique told radio station Onda Cero.

"Players in his position like Xavi were patient and they ended up defining an era. When you watch [Spain U21s] and see how superior they have been in this tournament, you realise that the future is very positive."

Thiago has been linked with a move to Manchester United.