Van der Wiel: PSG can become as big as Real Madrid

Posted Thursday, September 06, 2012 by

Gregory van der Wiel feels that Paris Saint-Germain has the potential to become one of the biggest clubs in Europe and challenge the likes of Real Madrid and other top teams.

The Netherlands international signed a four-year deal with the Ligue 1 outfit on Monday to complete his transfer from Ajax, and is full of ambition following his move to the French capital.

"Paris Saint-Germain can become as big a club as Real Madrid. They want to make it to the absolute top, win the Ligue 1 title and compete for top honors in Europe," Van der Wiel stated to Algemeen Dagblad. "I am very pleased to be part of this project. They are very ambitious and want to win trophies. I was looking for a new challenge and we can achieve something unique here.

"And it's obviously fantastic to play alongside a star like Zlatan Ibrahimovic."

Van der Wiel was also linked with a move to Newcastle United this summer, but the right back has stressed that a move to the Premier League side was never an option.

"I really wanted to play for a club in a big city. I don't know how serious they were, but I don't see myself living in the middle of nowhere in Newcastle. I am used to Amsterdam and really enjoy living in a big city. I have been in Paris for only three days or so, but I can already say that it's quite similar to Amsterdam."

Van der Wiel could make his official PSG debut in the home game against Toulouse on Sept. 13.