Unai Emery, Arsenal manager, has been listed among potential names to replace under-fire Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde.
According to Daily Star report, Barcelona chiefs are keeping tabs on Emery, who is closing in on another Europa League title with Arsenal less than 12 months after replacing legendary boss Arsene Wenger at the end of last season's campaign.
However, the Spaniard has started his reign brightly at the Emirates and will be closely monitored by Barca eggheads during Wednesday night's cracker between Arsenal and Chelsea in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Interestingly, Barcelona defended their La Liga title with less hassles this year, courtesy of Lionel Messi's impressive 36-goal haul.
However, Valverde was faulted for Barcelona's shambolic exit from Champions League, losing 4-3 on aggregate to Liverpool despite a three-goal lead from the first-leg.
And on Saturday night, the 55-year-old manager could not do much as Barca suffered another defeat, with Valencia denying Messi and his teammates a domestic double after claiming the Copa del Rey with 2-1.
At the last count, Barca chiefs have given up hope on Valverde, with Spanish news channel Mundo Deportivo revealing that the Catalan side have penciled down four possible managers as his replacement.
Emery is currently the frontrunner, but still has 24 months left to on his Arsenal contract and earns about £154,000-a-week, claims the Evening Standard.
Dutch manager Ronald Koeman is on the second spot and spent about six years at the Nou Camp, winning four La Liga titles and the European Cup.
Already, the 56-year-old Koeman has also managed clubs around Europe, including Everton and Southampton in the English Premier League.
Former Premier League manager Roberto Martinez is also in Barca's shortlist after impressing with Belgium at last summer's World Cup semi-final.
Italian manger Max Allegri, who will be leaving Juventus this summer, is also linked with Barca after winning five straight league titles for the Turin-based outfit.
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