Football icon and Inter Miami founder David Beckham stopped by the Paris Saint-Germain training ground and was pictured all smiles with transfer target Lionel Messi.
It is well-documented that Inter Miami are incredibly keen on the idea of landing Messi's signature as part of a deal that would shake Major League Soccer to its very core. The Argentine is familiar with the area and even owns a property in the city, only adding further fuel to the speculation a move could be on the cards.
The latest round of rumours stem from their apparent friendly exchange with each other at the training ground of the French giants. Beckham is currently staying in Paris and thought to stop by his old club, with the pictures quickly doing the rounds on social media.
There were extra eyes on how he interacted with Messi given the reports suggesting the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner will leave the French capital after two seasons come the end of the current campaign.
In turn, this has sparked a plethora of reports over where Messi could end up. Some have claimed their could be a fairytale reunion with Barcelona, where he would play under the rule of former team-mate Xavi Hernandez, now in the hot-seat as manager.
But that idea has had cold water poured on it by La Liga President Javier Tebas, who admitted any deal between the two parties would be complicated.
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"At this time, it looks complicated to me," he told RMC Sport. "There is still time, but there will have to be a departure of players and a reduction in the wage bill.
"They will have to be to be able to register Messi. And then there is a piece of information that we don’t know, which is Messi’s salary. There are still many variables."
This will be welcome reading for those at the top of the Inter Miami hierarchy, some of whom have already discussed the prospect of bringing Messi to America.
Speaking nearly two years ago, Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas admitted Messi is a target for the club.
"We want to be the point of reference for soccer in the United States, but when you talk about the best players in the world, Leo is obviously the best player on the planet," Mas explained to Sports Central.
"Hopefully the conditions will be met for him to be there, playing with the United States Inter Miami jersey. We aspire to that. 'I hope the circumstances are given.
"We have nothing guaranteed, there is no agreement, but I am a very optimistic man and I hope that in the future Leo Messi can be part of our project."
