Chelsea blow as PSG confirm £35m transfer of Zenit star Leandro Paredes
The moneybags Ligue 1 club unveiled the Argentina international on Tuesday after missing out on Dutch prodigy Frenkie De Jong
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN have dealt a blow to Chelsea's transfer plans, after winning the race to sign Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Leandro Paredes.
The moneybags Ligue 1 club unveiled the Argentina international on Tuesday after missing out on Dutch prodigy Frenkie De Jong.
Paredes, 24, arrived in Europe at Chievo, after playing for Boca Juniors as a youngster, he then went to Roma, before having a season at Empoli and then back to Roma before joining Zenit in July 2017.
He was part of Jorge Sampaoli's Argentina squad in the build-up to the World Cup last summer, but missed the final cut.
Paredes admitted he was convinced by Angel Di Maria to join the Parisian outfit.
He said: "I am very happy to be here in Paris and very excited to play for Paris Saint-Germain.
"It's a big club. The team is excellent and has great ambitions.
"The coach showed me all his interest. All this gave me a great desire to come.
"I did all the preparation with my old club, so I'm ready to play.
"I already know the history of Paris Saint-Germain, the great players who played, and those who play today, including Angel Di Maria who has already introduced me to the club and the city."
PSG are set to lose Adrien Rabiot in the summer, with the Frenchman set to become a free agent.
So they are keen not to lose any strength in depth in midfield.
The Ligue 1 runaway leaders are also set to miss Neymar for their Champions League double header against Manchester United.
The Brazilian superstar picked up what is thought to be anther metatarsal problem and L'Equipe are reporting he will be out till the end of March.