Barcelona head queue for Rafa Benitez

By Vicki Hodges
Last Updated: 9:31am GMT 27/03/2008
Daily Telegraph

Barcelona lead a trio of Spanish clubs interested in luring Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez back to La Liga.
Benitez's future at Anfield is still under threat with uncertainty over Dubai Investment Capital's plans for the club should they complete their £400 million takeover in the coming weeks.
The Spaniard remains committed to Liverpool and his priority would be to stay on Merseyside but a host of clubs have already noted their interest in the coach should he become available in the summer.
Barcelona are monitoring Benitez's situation and could make a move for the coach in the summer with Frank Rijkaard's own position at the Nou Camp in the balance.
Barca are one of three clubs thought to have sounded out Benitez's agent, Manuel Garcia Quillon, with former club Valencia and Atletico Madrid also interested in bring Benitez back to Spain.
Benitez has endured a tumultuous campaign at Anfield with off-the-field disputes between coach and American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks proving one of the reasons behind Liverpool's Premier League title-charge hitting the buffers.
While Benitez's relationship with Hicks imparticular has improved in recent weeks - having guided Liverpool to the Champions League quarter-finals - the drawn-out saga of DIC's takeover bid, has not quashed fears that the Spaniard will be out of a job come May.
Benitez does still have two years left to run on his contract at Anfield, and should he be given reassurances regarding his future, will ask for financial backing in the summer to build a squad which will be able to sustain their charge to win the league title.
Blackburn's David Bentley is one player thought to be on Benitez's wishlist, but the Spaniard may have to offload some members of his squad before he is able to add further players to what is already a large assembly.
Harry Kewell is expected to leave when his contract expires in June, while John Arne Riise and Xabi Alonso could also be sold to make way for the new recruits.