Josep Maria Bartomeu wants to remove four members of his board as factions at Barcelona deepen.

One source compared the situation to "Game of Thrones" with the explanation that everyone is vying to position themselves ahead of next summer's presidential elections.

Bartomeu, who will not be able to run in 2021 having served two terms, "only wants to be surrounded by people that he can completely trust," as he moves into the final year of his mandate, another source said.