The 22-year-old Barca academy graduate, whose contract runs until June 2015, is being groomed as the successor to Xavi in central midfield but is said to be frustrated at a lack of playing time and has attracted the attention of some of Europe's wealthiest clubs.
Valued at 22 million euros on website transfermarkt.com, his brilliant captain's performance in Tuesday's Euro Under-21 Championship final, when he netted a hat-trick in Spain's 4-2 win over Italy, will only have served to boost his profile.
Their performance in Israel, and Thiago's in particular, drew widespread praise.
"Spain U21s were too much," Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand wrote on his Twitter feed.
"Thiago wants the ball under pressure, he demands it anywhere. We need to produce that kind of mentality in our kids," added the former England international.
A clause in Thiago's Barca contract based on the number of appearances he makes per season means he could leave for 18 million euros this summer.
"It's a job for the technical secretary now and there is that possibility that he could leave for 18 million," Pique told radio station Onda Cero on Tuesday.
"The most important thing is to make him see that there is no better place than Barcelona football club," he added.
"Players of the calibre of Xavi, who also play in his position, had patience and in the end defined an era.
"I know that he [Thiago] has a lot of quality and he could be a starter for any team in Europe.
"We have the players that we have but I think in the end he will realise because he is an intelligent player."
Thiago made 15 starts in La Liga as Barca won the title last season, two appearances in the Champions League and seven in the King's Cup. He has also played three times for the senior Spain side but missed out on a place at the Confederations Cup.
