Saturday 1 September 2012

PSG spin the Wiel of fortune and land Ajax full-back

Though not the sort of deal that would make a big impression on the Sky Sports News Transfer Totaliser, it seems Paris Saint-Germain did a decent bit of business yesterday by agreeing a deal for Ajax right-back Gregory van der Wiel.

Most reliable sources are reporting that PSG will pay €5-6million for the the 24-year-old (left), who arrived in Paris last night and will have a medical today before signing a four-year-contract. Clubs in France can continue buying players until September 4, so the doctors can take their time making sure the Dutch international can touch his toes, click his knuckles, and recite the alphabet backwards.

Van der Wiel has made over 100 appearances for Ajax since making his debut in 2007, and has long been linked with a host of Europe's biggest clubs. And Newcastle. He was named Holland's young player of the years in 2010, when he helped his national side to the World Cup final, but his stock has fallen in the last couple of years. Indeed he hasn't even made new Oranje boss Louis van Gaal's squad for the upcoming World Cup 2016 qualifiers, and a move to Paris could be exactly what he needs. Alternatively he might rest on his laurels, content to pick up a massive wage. Let's hope it's the former.

His arrival obviously casts doubt on the future of Christophe Jallet, who presumably won't be best pleased to go from being PSG captain to Van der Wiel's understudy. Equally, you'd imagine the Dutchman isn't coming to the Parc-des-Princes to sit on the bench. Ancelotti has repeatedly praised Jallet since taking over, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the skipper take a spot in the ever-changing smorgasbord that is our midfield.

Meanwhile President Nasser has given Carlo Ancelotti the dreaded vote of confidence:

"I am lucky to have one of the best coaches in the world. A fantastic man", he told L’Equipe. "He is not under threat at all. He will be there until the end of the season and even until the end of his contract. I support him 100 per cent."

Time to back your bags Carlo.

Nasser also found time to big up Montpellier's eccentric/attention seeking (delete as applicable) president Louis "LouLou" Nicollin.

"Loulou is really special, a fantastic guy," he said. "I have great respect for him and what he did. He deserved to win the title last year.

"Montpellier and Ligue 1 are really lucky to have him. I love it when he speaks, I love to see how he reacts., It is fantastic. We need more president stars like him, we will learn from him."

Can you feel the love? That last line is a little bit worrying though, I hope Nasser isn't going to start threatening to stab himself in the arse with a sausage.

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