Paris-St. Germain's attempt to become a serious contender on the European soccer scene took a giant step forward on Thursday.
According to Italian publication Gazzetta Dello Sport, AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi confirmed the sales of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and centerback Thiago Silva to PSG for a reported €62 million in a move that nets the French club two of the biggest stars in the world at their respective positions.
After adding Argentine striker Ezequiel Lavezzi from Napoli, Carlo Ancelotti's squad now has an abundance of world-class talent from front to back. With Lavezzi and Ibrahimovic up top, Argentine playmaker Javier Pastore pulling the strings in the midfield alongisde French international Jeremy Menez and the likes of Silva, Uruguayan international Diego Lugano and former Chelsea centerback Alex in defense, PSG, which finished in second in Ligue 1 last season, is a juggernaut on paper.
U.S. soccer fans will get a chance to see the new-look PSG up close later this month. The club will play against Chelsea at Yankee Stadium on July 22 before facing D.C. United at RFK Stadium on July 28 as part of the World Football Challenge.
As for AC Milan, losing the two starters is a blow to the club's roster but frees up significant financial resources in both transfer fee and salary to retool and rebuild. Manchester City strikers Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko are two reported targets to replace Ibrahimovic for the Rossoneri.
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Do you see PSG becoming the next world power after this move? Still not sold that this team can compete with the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United and Manchester City on the European stage? Planning on attending PSG's WFC matches now?
Share your thoughts below.