Gerardo Martino will be named as the new Barcelona coach, according to reports in Spain.

Martino is believed to have held talks with the club's board earlier today, resulting in him emerging as the number one candidate to replace Tito Vilanova, who was forced to step down on Friday due to ill health.

Martino, who guided Newell's Old Boys to the Argentinian title last season, has also won four Paraguayan championships in his managerial career but is currently out of work.

However, the 50-year-old Argentinian is now reportedly set to sign a three-year deal at Camp Nou, edging out challenges from the likes of Luis Enrique, Michael Laudrup and Guus Hiddink.