Crisis club Barcelona are eyeing Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini. The Mirror says Barca want to take City director of football Txiki Begiristain and chief executive Ferran Soriano back to the Nou Camp to lead the club into a new era.

And if Barca are successful in luring them, they may ultimately look to snatch manager Manuel Pellegrini from the Premier League champions.

The revelations will add extra spice to the Champions League last 16 clash between City and Barca, with the two sides meeting for the first leg at the Etihad Stadium on February 24.

Barca are looking for a new sporting director following the dismissal of Andoni Zubizarreta and assistant Carles Puyol's decision to quit the club in the wake of his sacking.

Fueling the talk is that Joan Laporta is planning to stand for re-election as Barca president this summer and his potential return to the Nou Camp helm could see him seek a reunion with Begiristain.