Barcelona have announced technical chief Ramon Planes has been released from his contract.

Planes is being linked with a move to Newcastle United.

The Spaniard was set to leave Barcelona in June but has cut short his 15-month spell at the Nou Camp.

"The club wishes to publicly express its gratitude to Ramon Planes for his commitment, professionalism and contributions throughout this last two years," read a statement, "and wishes him the best of luck and every success in the future."

Planes was also the La Liga club's director of professional football between 2018 and 2020 and has more than twenty years of experience in football administration.

He's previously worked for a host of Spanish clubs and Tottenham between 2014 and 2015. Planes was at Spurs when they signed Dele Alli from MK Dons.