'Panic' At Barca Over Club-Directed 'Smear Campaigns' After De Jong, Messi Contract Leaks

The Athletic report that some Barcelona players are afraid the club would direct a media attack on them to put pressure on them.

In June, Marca leaked the details of Frenkie de Jong's contract. Previously, details of deals of players such as Leo Messi and Antoine Griezmann, among others, appeared in press.

It feels as if Barcelona intentionally leak this information to journalists to cause 'smear campaigns' against their own players. In case of De Jong, the Catalans want to force him to leave the club to ease the financial burden.

The Athletic write that this strategy has caused 'paranoia' among the players' agents. They fear they could be targeted next.