Paris Saint-Germain has undergone a radical transformation since the club was purchased in April 2011 by Qatar Sports Investments, which is an arm of the $115 billion Qatar Investment Authority.

"We have a very clear vision, to be honest," PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi told the Financial Times last week. "In five years, we want to be one of the best clubs in Europe and to win the Champions League. And our brand to be worth €1 billion. And we will be there."

PSG expect annual revenues to top €500 million this year but a large chunk of that will come from a much-questioned €200 million-a-year sponsorship deal with the Qatar Tourism Authority, backdated to 2012, which allows the club to get around UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules.

The unofficial reason that Qatar purchased PSG are the close links between the two countries that helped setup the World Cup in 2022.

BeIn Sports is the rebranded al-Jazeera Sport and they are attempting to become the most influential sports broadcaster in France, while also expanding in the United States and Great Britain.

"They are voracious with their ambition and they have all the money in the world to match it. There is nothing they can't do," said one. "What drives it is their need to be one of the top five broadcasters in the world by 2022."