Laurens: PSG on its way to European domination with the signing of Thiago Silva

Dreams, even the wildest ones, can become reality. Even in France, even in Ligue 1. Thiago Silva, most probably the best defender in the world at present, will likely play for Paris Saint-Germain next season. Everything should be finalized on Wednesday, following a whirlwind tour of the French capital. While Les Bleus underwhelmed somewhat in their opening performance against England, PSG's possible transfer coup offers a timely reminder to the soccer-adoring public that the game in France is rising once more, spearheaded by the cash-injected club. A transfer for 45 million euros would make him the most expensive player in the history of French soccer. Who would have thought a few months ago that a player of this caliber would ever tread the turf of the French top flight? No one. Imagine how the fans in Troyes or Reims, promoted to Ligue 1 for the coming season, will feel in a few weeks when they see the Brazilian marking their attackers! The Parisian club is about to secure a massive deal, both in sporting and media terms. To take a player of the stature of Thiago Silva from AC Milan, who Manchester City and Barcelona were also chasing, is a triumph in itself. This shows two things: firstly, that money really does equal happiness. PSG is not of the standing of Milan, and even if the club has enjoyed a steady rise since the arrival of its Qatari billionaire owners, this is the moment in which its fortunes has really made the difference. The second is that, following the arrival of Javier Pastore at about the same stage last year, PSG really has entered another dimension. Two years ago, the club recruited Christophe Jallet from Lorient to strengthen its defense. Last year, it was Diego Lugano from Fenerbahce. This year, it will be Thiago Silva. 'Spectacular' does not do this change justice. Looking at it from another perspective, imagine Thiago Silva facing certain players in Ligue 1. One doubts whether he will be familiar with many of his future adversaries. Whereas with Milan he starred at San Siro, which holds 90,000 fans; next season he will run out at Ajaccio, where the average gate is only 5,000. The Brazilian will go in part for the money and the huge salary on offer in Paris. But there is also a very interesting sporting project on offer, because with such financial power, PSG could soon rival Europe's most prestigious clubs. It is also a beautiful city and a fresh challenge. At 27, the former Fluminense player has matured with Milan to become one of the best defenders in the world. With above average technique for a center back, considerable physicality in the tackle, a scientific understanding of positioning and a powerful running stride, he boasts the ideal attributes of the modern defender. With 28 caps, he has also become a mainstay of the Brazil team only two years before it hosts the World Cup in 2014.