Barcelona president Joan Laporta sees Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez as the man to succeed Frank Rijkaard - if the Dutchman is to leave the Nou Camp in the summer.

Laporta remains firmly behind Rijkaard, however El Mundo Deportivo says he has made Benitez his No1 alternative in competition with directors Txiki Begiristain and Marc Ingla.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is favoured by the majority of the board, including Begiristain and Ingla, and in a power battle Laporta is prepared to make a challenge by putting forward Benitez's name.