Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be at Paris Saint-Germain and have Pep Guardiola as their coach by next year, says Fabrice Pancrate.
Messi has told Barcelona he wants out but was reportedly turned down in his request for a meeting with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu to discuss a transfer.
PSG sporting director Leonardo is said to have contacted the 33-year-old's father, Jorge, to inquire about his situation, though Manchester City – managed by former Barca boss Guardiola – are rumoured to be the favourites to sign the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.
However, Pancrate, who played for PSG between 2004 and 2009, believes the Ligue 1 champions have a masterplan in place which involves not only Messi, but Guardiola and Juventus star Ronaldo too.
"I'll tell you what I think. Beyond the city itself – because Manchester is ugly, it's grey, it's raining – there are plenty of things that make me say that Messi is going to Paris," Pancrate told Le Parisien
"And Ronaldo will join him in 2021. And Guardiola too.
"I think Guardiola and Messi have spoken to each other before. Guardiola must have told him: 'We're going to mix things up. I want you in Manchester, but go to Paris and don't worry, next year I'll join you there.'