By ANDY DEVLIN and ROGER HANNAH
Published: 09 Feb 2010
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MADJID BOUGHERRA is being tracked by Barcelona.
Rangers ace Bougherra is on a list of names drawn up by Txiki Begiristain, sporting director of the European champions.

Barca boss Pep Guardiola was given DVDs of Bougherra in action by Begiristain, left, to study.

After watching his impressive performances for Algeria in the Africa Cup of Nations, Barca will now follow Bougy's progress at the World Cup.

But SunSport can reveal Sevilla are also interested in landing the 27-year-old defender.

Any move to the Nou Camp could hinge on Begiristain's long-term future at the club.

The director has yet to be offered a new deal.

Should he leave Barca in the summer it's unlikely the Spanish champions would pursue their interest in Bougy.

The Ibrox stopper is the newly-crowned Arabian Player of the Year, having helped Gers to the double last season and inspired Algeria to the World Cup Finals.

Sources in both Spain and Algeria have confirmed Barca's interest in Bougherra, who has also had spells with Charlton, Crewe and Sheffield Wednesday.

Barca won an unprecedented six trophies last year, but are keen to strengthen their squad.

There is uncertainty over the long-term future of Argentine centre back Gabriel Milito, who has recently returned from a 19-month spell out with a cruciate knee injury.

The 29-year-old, an £18million buy from Real Zaragoza in 2007, is understood to be considering a move away after moving down Barca's pecking order - and Bougherra is seen as his replacement.

Bougherra has previously voiced his interest in moving back to the English Premiership at the end of this season.

But the prospect of joining one of the giants of world football would be irresistible to the stopper.

He has been one of Rangers' best players since his £2.5m arrival from Charlton in 2008.