HE has the ear of Barcelona FC boss Tito Vilanova and enjoys the company of Spain's A-list stars - welcome to the wonder world of new Adelaide United coach Josep Gombau.

Gombau arrives in Adelaide next month but has made the most of his recruiting mission in Barcelona, identifying two acquisitions from his Nou Camp network to be unveiled next week.

United football director Michael Petrillo last week returned from a European fact finding and recruiting mission which showed Gombau, 37, will be the real deal at Hindmarsh.

"We spent some time going through the make-up of the squad and preseason and secondly to scout some players. We are close to signing a left-winger and midfielder, players Josep has either coached in the Barcelona youth system or seen,'' Petrillo said.

"We had six options but they were all familiar to Josep, players he knows really well which makes decisions a lot easier.''

Petrillo said it was a privilege to share the presence of Vilanova who succeeded celebrated Pep Guardiola and presided over Barcelona's 22nd La Liga title in May.

"We spent some time at Barcelona looking at first team training right through to under-10s and spent a bit of time with Tito Vilanova which was great,'' Petrillo said.

"Josep coached his son for several years at the Barca academy so they became friends.

"It is a very impressive club and they were very open, humble and friendly.''

It was a surreal Catalan experience for Petrillo with Gombau taking calls and visits from gems like Spain's World Cup centre-back Gerard Pique and Barcelona midfielder Thiago.

"We were driving along and the players like Thiago and Piqu going to see him or ringing him,'' said Petrillo of Gombau who holds a Spain's equivalent of an elite UEFA Pro Diploma.

"I knew Josep was well connected but I wasn't aware of the depth and the respect he has there. I wasn't aware of that closeness. If you are from Catalonia you are very passionate about your football, appreciation and way of playing the game.''

While Adelaide is poised to name a former La Liga veteran and rookie to fill two of three spots remaining on the Reds 23-man, 2013-14 roster it means fan favourite Fabian Barbiero and young winger Evan Kostopoulos will be cut adrift.

"It will be very difficult as Josep has made it clear he wants to bring in some guys who are more familiar with the way he wants to play the game,'' Petrillo said.

"We have a third spot available but that is up to Josep.''

###

Originally published as Reds coach Josep eyes two new recruits