Rio Ferdinand has claimed on social media that Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard is eyeing an audacious move for Lionel Messi.
The La Liga side have announced that the Argentine has requested to leave the Nou Camp this summer.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner has endured a tumultuous season that saw his Barca side lose out to Real Madrid in the title race, and culminated in an embarrassing defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final.
Chelsea have been consistently linked with a move for the 33-year-old but the Blues would reportedly face competition for his signature.
Manchester City, PSG and Manchester United are also among the few clubs that would likely be able to afford the forward.
But Ferdinand posted on Twitter on Tuesday evening that he believes former teammate Lampard is plotting a sensational move for the Barcelona legend.
The former Manchester United defender tweeted: "Just heard Frank Lampard is now in for #messi.
"Some window this if Lamps pulls this off!!"
Messi's potential exit from Barcelona will be an end of an era at the Nou Camp, with the Argentinian ranked as one of the most decorated players in the club's history since making his debut as a 17-year-old in 2004.
The news will also come as a blow to new Barca boss Ronald Koeman.
Former Everton and Southampton boss Koeman, who had a six-year stint as a player at the Nou Camp himself, was swiftly installed as manager at Barcelona following their defeat to Bayern.
He replaced Quique Setien and initially spoke up the chances of Messi staying at the Nou Camp.
"It is a pleasure to have a player like Messi in the team," Koeman told Barca's official media channels (via Marca).
"His qualities will help the team to develop.
"We can't be compared for our free-kick taking because he has scored so many more than me. I was only at Barcelona for six seasons!
"But it is important to have someone who is good at free-kicks and corners in your team."
