Barcelona are reportedly ready to move for Pep Guardiola should the Spaniard decide to leave Manchester City at the end of the season.
Guardiola's future at the Etihad Stadium has come into question since City suffered their fourth defeat of the campaign at the hands of Manchester United last weekend, with rumours circulating that he has a break clause in his contract which would allow him to leave next summer.
The two-time Champions League-winning boss has denied that is the case, but The Express reports that Barcelona are keeping tabs on the situation with a view to bringing him back to Camp Nou.
Guardiola spent 17 years as a Barcelona player before leading them to their most successful ever spell as manager, taking his combined trophy tally with the club up to 30 including 10 La Liga titles and three Champions League crowns.
Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu recently acknowledged that the door is "always open" for the 48-year-old to return to the club, placing more doubt over the future of current boss Ernesto Valverde, who has been tipped to leave at the end of the campaign.
Guardiola's decision could be affected by his wife returning to Catalonia with one of their children in order to continue running her own fashion business.
Man City have taken 32 points from 16 games this season, which is the lowest return any of Guardiola's teams have ever had at this stage of a campaign.
Barney Corkhill
