Inter Miami CF and Barcelona have joined forces in an unexpected collaboration to thwart Lionel Messi's proposed move to Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal, according to L'Equipe.

Speculation about Messi's next destination is rife, with the 35-year-old set to leave Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent at the end of June.

Sources told ESPN in April that Al Hilal — city rivals of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr — had made a lucrative offer to sign the Argentine superstar, and Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Tuesday that still remains. However, Inter Miami, co-owned by former Manchester United and England player David Beckham, and Barcelona have hatched a plan to intervene.