David Beckham has ‘reached out’ to Barcelona forward Lionel Messi in a bid to see him become the star of his new Inter Miami side. 

Beckham’s club will launch in the MLS from March 2020 and the former Manchester United and Real Madrid winger is looking to make a statement of intent in his first season.

And according to Barcelona Radio host Xavi Campos, contact has been made with Messi about a switch to the US, after it emerged he can walk away from Barcelona for free at the end of the 2019-20 season if he chooses.

Beckham has not been shy in setting out his dream transfer targets in the past after revealing earlier this year both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo would be his preferred names to bring over to the MLS. 

“Everyone has their wish list,” he said. “But if you look at the way Leo and Cristiano are still playing, even at what you might think is the later stage of their careers, I don’t see it ending for them.

“They’re playing at such a high level that it’s hard to see them leaving the clubs they are at. But we will see. You never know what can happen in football.”

Messi has not featured so far this season as he continues to recover from an injury picked up before La Liga got underway. 

But all the talk around the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has surrounded news of Barcelona’s decision to allow him to depart for free if he wishes to leave the club – such is their belief he will remain at the Nou Camp.

“Messi signed until 2021. It was agreed that at the end of the penultimate season he is at liberty to leave for free,” president Josep Bartomeu told Barca TV recently.

“He has earned that freedom to decide his future, but he is very Cule and I am calm. Xavi, Iniesta, and Puyol had the same clause.

“We couldn’t give Messi a different clause, but I repeat, I am in no doubt he will stay for many years.”