Stoichkov believes Haaland would suit Barcelona more than Mbappe right now

Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov believes Erling Haaland would be more effective than Kylian Mbappe in the current set-up at the Nou Camp - but thinks former Barca head coach Johan Cruyff would prefer to coach the French forward.

Both Haaland and Mbappe have been linked with many of Europe's leading clubs this season, with Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Haaland has 31 goals in 30 games for Dortmund so far this season and, speaking to Goal, Stoichkov feels the Norwegian would be able to fit more comfortably into ex-Barca team-mate Ronald Koeman's starting XI.

However, the Bulgarian, who played a major part in four successive LaLiga crowns and a Champions League title in the 1990s under Cruyff, feels the Dutchman would be more of a fan of Mbappe, who tore Koeman's men apart last month by scoring a stunning hat-trick.

'I think that with Barcelona's system, Haaland can be more effective. But if the coach were Cruyff, I already can tell you that I would sign Mbappe first,' said Stoichkov.

'He would play without a number nine and he would play with (Ousmane) Dembele and Mbappe and (Lionel) Messi organising.'

Haaland, 20, has bagged 10 goals in six Champions League games during the current campaign, including doubles both home and away against Sevilla in the round of 16 and Mundo Deportivo is reporting that Barcelona would need to sell players and slash wages if they were to land the former Red Bull Salzburg goal machine.

Haaland has a host of top clubs clamouring for his signature, with Dortmund sitting just outside the Bundesliga's top four as the club look to secure another season of Champions League football in order to tempt their top stars to stay.

Despite some wobbles following Mauricio Pochettino's replacement of Thomas Tuchel, Mbappe's PSG are now only three points behind Ligue 1 leaders Lille, with the 22-year-old on 28 club goals for the season in all competitions.

The French giants are reportedly set to offer their prize asset a bumper new contract in order to ward off interest from Liverpool and Real Madrid, with Mbappe's stock potentially rising even higher if France can go one step further than 2016 and win the Euros this summer.

Stoichkov also felt long-serving left back Jordi Alba was now surplus to requirements and backed David Alaba, who has announced he is leaving Bayern Munich this summer, to be a suitable replacement.

'With two or three signings you can make a very competitive team,' he said.

'You need a left back because Alba is going to be killed, and I would sign Alaba because he can play you in three different positions and very well in all three.'

Despite significant early-season struggles in the league, Barcelona are now second in the table, four points behind faltering pace-setters Atletico Madrid.

Koeman's side travel to Real Sociedad on Sunday before the international break and then face several pivotal fixtures in April, including El Clasico on April 10 and the Copa del Rey final Athletic Bilbao seven days later.