With the anticipated transfer of football phenomenon Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain, Qatar is hitting back at its Gulf rivals with a high-profile soft power play. 

The French league on Thursday stepped into the Neymar transfer affair, calling on their Spanish counterparts not to block the Brazilian's move to Paris Saint-Germain.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday gave his seal of approval to Brazilian superstar Neymar's expected transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar is expected to arrive in Paris on Thursday to finalize his world record 222 million euro ($260 million) move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, which will earn him around 30 million euros ($35.5 million) a year.

Neymar's potential world record move to Paris Saint-Germain moved a step closer on Wednesday as the Brazilian informed his Barcelona teammates he is leaving the club, a Barca source told AFP.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday hailed Los Angeles' announcement that it intends to host the 2028 Olympics as a "very important step" towards Paris hosting the 2024 edition.

Paris is celebrating outright victory in its bid to host the 2024 Olympic Games despite cautionary rhetoric from French President Emmanuel Macron and bid leaders following a historic deal with Los Angeles.

Barcelona have blocked payment of a 26-million-euro ($31-million) bonus for star attacker Neymar as speculation mounts that he will move to Paris Saint-Germain, a source at the club said Tuesday.

Arsene Wenger insists the Alexis Sanchez transfer saga won't be a distraction to Arsenal this season despite the Chile forward's refusal to sign a new contract.

Serbian international midfielder Nemanja Matic signed for Manchester United on Monday from Premier League champions Chelsea the buying club announced.