Paris Saint-Germain chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has declared that he sanctioned Mamadou Sakho's move to Liverpool with a heavy heart.
Sakho completed a deadline-day switch to Anfield in search of regular first-team football, after finding chances restricted at PSG behind Brazilian duo Alex and Thiago Silva.
Al-Khelaifi has admitted that he understood Sakho's reasons for leaving with the World Cup looming large, but insisted that PSG would more than welcome his return if his position changed.
He told L'Equipe: "Sakho was the baby of the club. I didn't want him to leave but we had to understand he was scared to miss the World Cup if he would not play enough here.
"He's left now and the clubs door will always be open to him."
The 23-year-old made his Liverpool debut in Monday's 2-2 draw at Swansea City, helping the Reds maintain their unbeaten start in the Premier League.