PSG signs 3 players to spur title ambitions

Posted Tuesday, July 26, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Paris Saint-Germain signed France internationals Jeremy Menez from Roma and Blaise Matuidi from Saint-Etienne plus Serbia defender Milan Bisevac from Valenciennes on Monday in a bid to spur its ambitions in the French league and on the European stage.

Attacking midfielder Menez, holding midfielder Matuidi and center back Bisevac all signed three-year deals. Their moves follow the appointment of former Inter Milan coach Leonardo as sporting director two weeks ago.

Before Leonardo’s arrival, PSG had already signed goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez from Rennes and striker Kevin Gameiro from Lorient.

PSG finished in fourth place in the French league last season, missing out on a Champions League playoff spot but qualifying for the Europa League.

Menez signed for a reported fee of ?8 million ($11.5 million) plus a ?1 million bonus if PSG qualifies for the Champions League while the move for Matuidi was reportedly priced at ?7.5 million ($10.8 million) with the fee rising to as much as ?10 million based on incentives.

Bisevac was passing a physical when Menez and Matuidi were introduced to the media. Bisevac has reportedly signed for a ?3.5 million fee that could reach ?4 million with incentives.

Menez will replace winger Ludovic Giuly whose contract was not renewed by PSG.

“For any player, PSG is a special club,” Menez said. “When I was little I came to the Parc des Princes to watch Ronaldinho. It was a great thrill for me.”

“PSG wants to build a great team and go as far as possible in the Champions League. That fits my career plans.”

The 24-year-old midfielder has struggled for consistent playing time at Roma under successive coaches Luciano Spalletti, Claudio Ranieri and Vincenzo Montella.

Menez was tipped as a great prospect after signing a professional contract with Sochaux at the age of 16 but since then he has never really fulfilled his potential.

Matuidi will replace Claude Makelele, who retired this summer. Matuidi has been compared throughout his career to the former Real Madrid and Chelsea midfielder.

“Paris will help me be on the front stage for a spot in the France team,” Matuidi said. “There’s Euro 2012 at the end of the season and that means something to me and for my future in the France team.”

Bisevac is a 27-year-old Serbia international and was the cornerstone of the Valenciennes defense last season.

PSG is currently competing with Chelsea to get Palermo playmaker Javier Pastore. The Argentine midfielder would be the first major star to play at PSG since Ronaldinho.