Di Maria aims to push PSG past q-finals in Europe

PARIS • Angel di Maria's move from Manchester United to Paris Saint-Germain took another step forward when the winger underwent a medical in Doha on Tuesday.

The Aspetar sports hospital in Qatar posted photos on Twitter of the Argentinian ahead of his medical.

The 27-year-old was given permission to fly to Qatar for talks with PSG officials after United had agreed a €63 million (S$95 million) fee with the French champions.

Di Maria has yet to officially ink a contract with the Qatari-backed Parisian club.

However, in an interview with BeIn Sports, which is owned by the same Qatari Sports Investments group that includes PSG in its portfolio, he spoke of his joy at securing a move to the big-spending outfit.

"I'm delighted to sign for PSG because the club has done everything to bring me here," said di Maria.

"I will try to do my best, I will work hard to give my utmost and, if everything goes well, we will win a lot of trophies."

The former Real Madrid star said his goal is to bring more than just domestic glory to last year's French treble-winners.

"Paris won all the trophies in France and that's important for such a big club.

"My aim is to help Paris get past the Champions League quarter-finals," he said.

PSG have been knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals in the last three years - twice by Barcelona and once by Chelsea.

Their best result in Europe's premier club competition remains a semi-final appearance in 1995.

Di Maria's arrival will be PSG's biggest in the current off-season.

It follows those of German goalkeeper Kevin Trapp from Eintracht Frankfurt and French midfielder Benjamin Stambouli from Tottenham Hotspur.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE GUARDIAN

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 06, 2015, with the headline Di Maria aims to push PSG past q-finals in Europe. Subscribe