Barcelona chiefs have reportedly offered their former star Xavi Hernandez a two-and-a-half-year contract to replace Ernesto Valverde as manager.
However, Qatari club Al-Sadd, where Xavi is currently head coach, have said there is no immediate prospect of the Spain legend leaving and insisted they had received no contact from Barcelona.
Xavi is one of several high-profile names to have been linked with Valverde's job, with Ronald Koeman, Roberto MartÃnez and Thierry Henry also having been touted.
Valverde's position as Barcelona boss has come under increasing pressure following Barcelona's Spanish Super Cup defeat to Atletico Madrid on Thursday.
And Barcelona chiefs reacted on Friday, holding a two-hour meeting with Xavi before offering him a deal, according to AS.
The Spanish publication and Catalan radio station RAC1 reported that sporting director Eric Abidal and CEO Oscar Grau met with Xavi in Doha before flying back from the Middle East following Thursday's Super Cup clash in Saudi Arabia.
It is not clear whether Xavi has responded to the reported offer.
But Al-Sadd's general manager Turki Al-Ali said the coach was fully focused on his side's impending match against Al-Rayyan.
“The issue of Xavi going to Barcelona is normal and expected because he will be at his club and it’s his first home and he must return there in the future, but as of today, Xavi is the coach of Al Sadd,” Al-Ali said via a statement published on the club’s official website.
“Xavi and his team are focusing on tomorrow’s match against Al-Rayyan, and we know that a club with the size and professionalism of Barcelona will take to official channels to speak of such matters.”
Xavi won eight LaLiga titles, four Champions Leagues and a host of other trophies with Barca, while his 133-cap Spain career included three successive major international titles at the 2008 and 2012 European Championships and the 2010 World Cup.
Barcelona were beaten 3-2 by Atleti despite an improved performance following criticism of Barcelona's displays of late.
The Catalan giants conceded two late goals, having led 2-1 just after the hour mark.
It was the second match in a row they had lost out due a late goal, with Espanyol having levelled towards the end of a 2-2 draw between the sides in La Liga last weekend.
Barcelona are top of La Liga on goal difference, but fans haven't been happy with some of the performances under Valverde.
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