Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu is doing background checks on Sevilla coach Jorge Sampaoli.

Luis Enrique has stated he will walk away from Barcelona at the end of this season.

AS says Bartomeu has been asking as many trusted confidants as he can about Sampaoli and his work.

The president has been carrying out his mission for some weeks in a sure sign that Barca see the Argentine as their priority to succeed Enrique.

Sampaoli has thus far resisted Sevilla's attempts to secure him to a new deal.