As speculation surrounding Colombian pop star Shakira and Barcelona defender Gerard Pique’s separation continues, the singer’s former brother-in-law, Roberto Garcia, has revealed that he knows the truth.

Shakira's sister, who is now married to one of Shakira’s ex-boyfriends, has insisted that the problems between Shakira and Pique began over money.

He claimed that Pique had asked Shakira for a loan so he could invest it in other businesses, but the mother of his children refused to lend the cash because her parents suggested she should not do it.

Garcia told Spanish media outlet EsDiario: “According to what a person very close to them has told me, there has been an economic problem between the two." Supposedly, Piqué would have asked Shakira for money for an investment issue, and the singer’s family has refused to give it to him.

“They don’t mix their money, and they keep the family economy at 50%.”

He added, “Shakira fixed on Piqué because she liked him to be the father of her children. She knew she would never marry him.”

Shakira and Pique, whose relationship began in 2010, had in June split.

The pair have two sons together: Milan and Sasha.