Paris, France – PSG spent well over $100 million on transfers last year, and continued the trend this summer. A season ago, there were a few questions about whether PSG was ready to contend. There are no doubts now.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi were the big names added this offseason, and young Brazilian Luca Mouras, who will join in January, was the first player to commit for the winter transfer window.
Those four cost PSG $163.5 million in transfer fees, led by the $52 million to AC Milan for center back Silva. Moura cost just under $50 million, Lavezzi was just $37 million, and Ibrahimovic was a bargain at only $25 million.
Added to the amount of talent already on board, including 21-goal scorer Nene, 13-goal scorer Javier Pastore, the highest-priced addition last year, Alex and the rest of the PSG contingent, there is no limit to what the team can do now.
"This season, if we work hard and all pull in the same direction, we can win all three titles on offer in France: the league and both cups," Pastore told L'Equipe.
"We have an awesome team."
PSG was a trophyless side last year as it ended second in Ligue 1, and was not able to produce a cup triumph. But in addition to being the favorite to secure Ligue 1, PSG will be the favorite in the Coupe de France and Coupe da la Ligue this season.
A preseason match against Barcelona proved just how competitive PSG can be, as it tied the Spanish giants, 2-2, and lost on penalties.
"The more we play, the better we'll get," Ibrahimovic said. "This is just the beginning."
Coach Carlo Ancelotti will have to juggle his talented squad through the busy, and challenging schedule. In addition, PSG will play in the Champions League - the ultimate goal of new owners Qatar Investment Authority.
"In the Champions League," Pastore said, "our objective will be to reach the last 16 and reaching the quarters would be magnificent.
"Money has nothing to do with the truth of what happens out on the pitch."
Ancelotti will be under pressure to produce titles, but if these players jell, there is no limit to how many PSG can win this year.
Defending champions Montpellier lost 21-goal scorer Olivier Giroud to Arsenal, and third-place Lille lost star Eden Hazard to Chelsea this offseason.
With two of the best players from Ligue 1 now in the English Premier League - which just widened the gap between PSG and its challengers - the biggest fight should be for second place.
Lille added French playmaker Marvin Martin to bolster its squad and he thought his new club could compete with PSG.
"I'm ambitious," Martin said. "And PSG don't scare me. I hope we can be their main challengers."
Lyon, Marseille and a few other clubs will hope to have a say in the race - or at least the European spots and the cups - but PSG is the clear favorite.
Montpellier hosts Toulouse on Friday to kick off the season. PSG hosts Lorient on Saturday, when the majority of the league opens.
Also on Saturday, Evian hosts Bordeaux, Nancy hosts Brest, Nice hosts Ajaccio, Rennes hosts Lyon, Sochaux hosts Bastia, St Etienne hosts Lille, and Troyes hosts Valenciennes. On Sunday, Reims hosts Marseille.
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