Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery said on Saturday he wants to keep his top players to give superstar signing Neymar competition for a starting berth in the team.

Neymar’s father and agent, Neymar Sr, has told Spanish radio that Barcelona lost his support to retain his son when they refused to pay a bonus for signing a new contract last year.

Neymar will watch from the stands as Paris Saint Germain open their season Saturday, but the French club have already clawed back around a million euros on their world record investment thanks to selling a staggering 10,000 shirts bearing the Brazilian’s name in just one day.

In March, Barcelona achieved one of the most remarkable comebacks in Champions League history as three goals in the final seven minutes secured a sensational 6-5 aggregate victory over Paris St-Germain.

Stung by Neymar’s decision to join Paris Saint-Germain for a world record 222 million euros ($263.5 million), Barcelona need to act fast to find a replacement with less than four weeks to go until the transfer window closes.

Neymar completed his record-shattering transfer from Barcelona to Paris St Germain on Thursday night , signing a five-year deal with the French club after they triggered his 222 million euros (263 million dollars) release clause.

Neymar completed his world record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain on Thursday when he signed a five-year contract, the French club announced.

Neymar’s world record move to Paris Saint-Germain is set to be completed when the player jets into France on Friday after the Brazilian paid his 222 million euro ($263.6 million) buyout clause to Barcelona on Thursday.

French Budget Minister Gerald Darmanin on Thursday said he would be “delighted” at the prospect of Neymar paying tax in France after his expected record-busting transfer to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

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.