Paris Saint-Germain made a move for Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri in an attempt to force up the price that Barcelona would have to pay for him, his agent has claimed.
Amid confusion over whether Seri's contract with Nice included a €40 million release clause, PSG are reported to have phoned president Jean-Pierre Rivere to tell him they were willing to pay more than that.
However, Seri's agent Franklin Mala told RAC 1: "Three days ago, PSG phoned the president of Nice and only for one reason -- to screw Barca over.
"Now PSG are putting pressure on the club to take the player. It's crazy. They just want to do it to f--- Barca."
PSG and Barcelona have been at odds with each other throughout the summer, first over Barca's failed move for Marco Verratti and then Neymar's world-record move from the Camp Nou to the French capital.
Speaking at Neymar's presentation earlier this month, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi denied that the signing had been some sort of revenge for Barca pursuing Verratti.
In the meantime, reports in the Catalan press have claimed Barcelona will not move for Ivory Coast international Seri because of last-minute doubts.
Mala suggested a switch had fallen through for the time being, adding: "I don't understand it.
"'Technical decision' is what I have seen, but no one said anything to me. Barca knew his capabilities. When you want a player you follow him for a while.
"It was possible to reach an agreement with Barca, a great club. That's why they were negotiating with Nice this week. It was Seri's dream.
"Nobody understands anything, but we will see."