Barcelona transfer chief Mateu Alemany is in advanced talks to take on a senior position at Aston Villa.
Alemany, 60, will leave the club at the end of the season, the club confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.
Multiple reports in Spain had indicated Alemany had been offered a large salary increase to move to Villa Park and work alongside boss Unai Emery.
According to Spanish sources, Barcelona knew they could not match the terms on offer from Villa for their director of football.
A statement from the LaLiga leaders read: 'FC Barcelona Director of Football, Mateu Alemany, will end his time at the club on the 30th of June to begin a new professional project.