Barcelona are reportedly tempted to appoint Laurent Blanc on an interim basis while they wait for first-choice option Xavi to become available.

The Catalan giants are expected to part company with Quique Setien once their Champions League campaign concludes, having finished second to Real Madrid in La Liga.

Barca have made no secret of their desire to appoint Xavi and wanted him to succeed Ernesto Valverde in January, but the club legend has stayed loyal to Al Sadd - his first managerial position.

Xavi will remain in charge of the Middle Eastern side until at least the end of next season, forcing Barcelona to look elsewhere for a new head coach.

Spanish outlet Sport claims that Blanc's name has been mentioned in the boardroom as a stopgap, despite being out of work since leaving PSG in 2016.

Barcelona are locked at 1-1 with Napoli ahead of next month's Champions League last-16 second leg.