Sassuolo coach Roberto de Zerbi is a shock candidate for Barcelona's coaching job.

With Ernesto Valverde's deal to expire in June and no sign of new contract talks about to commence, Barca are looking around for alternatives.

And Corriere dello Sport says among the candidates under consideration is De Zerbi.

The Italian employs a similar style of football of what is seen at Barca and is known to Spanish powerbrokers after coming close to taking the Las Palmas job last year.

What impresses Barca chiefs most is De Zerbi's refusal to change his style of play, no matter the status of the team he's leading.