Football: BARCA CHASE RANIERI

BARCELONA have held secret talks with Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri in a bid to lure him to the Nou Camp.

Barca have ruled out a move for Deportivo la Coruna coach Javier Irureta, while another of their targets, Fabio Capello, has signed a new deal with Roma.

That leaves Ranieri in pole position - which will stun Chelsea, who recently offered the former Valencia manager a two-year extension to his current deal that expires at the end of next season.

The indications are that Ranieri is ready to walk away from Stamford Bridge after Barca made him an offer he simply couldn't refuse to replace Carles Rexach.

Confirming the approach, the club's vice president, Angel Fernandez said: "It's true we've made contact with Ranieri.

"His representative, Vinicio Fioranelli, has met our general manager, Anton Perera, on several occasions."

Another Barcelona director

added: "We have had Ranieri in mind for some time now and we initially made an approach to check his availability on March 13.

"I am aware, as are other directors, that he wants to come to the club.

"He has always had an impressive reputation in Spain and if he were to take the position our fans would be trulymember the job he did at Valencia and how he is capable of lifting a dressing room. We also think he will attract top players."

Talks are so advanced that Ranieri has even given Barcelona a wish list of players, including two current Lazio stars Claudio Lopez and Gaizka Mendieta.

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