Ernesto Valverde is now the stand-alone favourite for the Barcelona job. If the Athletic Club coach has been in pole position for the last week weeks, his position now seems to have strengthened with reports from El Correo saying he has already closed an agreement with Barça.

According to said media, Blaugrana president Josep Maria Bartomeu has even communicated the news to the first team. "Pending a few final, minor details, Valverde will fulfill one of his dreams after two failed attempts previosuly," El Correo say.

Cuco Ziganda is reportedly in line to take over the first team at San Mames, something which has been in the pipeline for a while in the expectation that Valverde will not extend his contract.

Always according to the same media, Barça plan to announce Valverde's appointment on May 29, two days after the Copa del Rey final against Alaves at the Vicente Calderon in Madrid next weekend.

In addition, Barça and Valverde have a clause which would allow them to cancel the agreement before May 31. However, everything suggests that will not be necessary and the coach will sign a two year-deal, beating the other favourite Juan Carlos Unzue to the job.