Juventus have sensationally entered the running to snap up irked Barcelona talisman Lionel Messi, according to reports.
The Turin giants will attempt to piece together a super-team centred around Messi and his historic challenger in the race to be named as the best player in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo.
L'Equipe claim that a 'discreet approach' was made to Messi's father, Jorge, to sound out the possibility of luring the 33-year-old to Turin.
Messi remains locked in an unsavoury stand-off with the club he has represented for the whole of his career. He has asked his representatives to broker a meeting with the Barcelona board in an attempt to 'avoid a war' breaking out over his uncertain future.
That meeting would be the first time both parties had come together since Messi shocked the football world by informing Barcelona this week that he wants to leave on a free transfer.
The club, however, have shown no signs of budging from their steadfast refusal to entertain the prospect of their superstar walking away.
Sportsmail understands Messi is firmly focused on a new challenge and wants his representatives to pave the way for his departure.
It is this uncertainty that has placed several of Europe's top clubs firmly on red alert, with Juventus believed to now be among them.
The club are said to be hopeful of cutting their hefty wage bill this summer, but the arrival of Messi would underline their intention of becoming the top dogs of the continent once again.
Andrea Piro was recently unveiled as Maurizio Sarri's shock successor and, according to the report from France, has instantly set himself lofty ambitions with Messi at the forefront.
The prospect of partnering the Argentinian icon and Ronaldo, who boast 11 Ballon d'Or gongs between them, would certainly allow Juventus to push towards finally winning the Champions League.
Manchester City are still understood to be in pole position to snap up Messi should he leave Barcelona, with Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain also proving attractive propositions.
But the process which would allow Messi to move to another club for the first time in his professional career still appears set to be drawn out for a while longer yet.
His club insist an exit clause in his contract does not make him a free agent because the deadline passed in June for him to inform them about any wish to leave.
The days after Messi's bombshell admission have been marred by supporters storming the Nou Camp and loudly calling for the under-fire board to resign.