DOHA — Signing Lionel Messi would take French champion Paris Saint-Germain to the next level, according to its current star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Press rumors in France suggest the big-spending Qatari-backed Parisians are in the market for a record bid for the Argentine wizard. And Ibrahimovic, who failed to strike up a particularly successful partnership with Messi during his one season at Barcelona, believes signing the four-time Ballon d'Or winner would not just allow PSG to dream of bigger and better, but would make it a whole new force to be reckoned with in European competition. “If he's up for sale then the whole world will be after him, not just PSG,” said Ibrahimovic from the French champion's winter training camp in Doha. “I don't know the situation but I think he's very happy at Barcelona. The press creates this but only he knows the truth. “PSG's project is to dream bigger but if you buy Messi, you don't dream bigger, you are bigger.” Signings such as that of Ibrahimovic, Brazilians Thiago Silva and Lucas and Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani have got many people believing PSG can genuinely challenge for Champions League honors this season. Last year it reached the quarterfinals where it lost on away goals to Barca, while its best result in the competition remains its semifinal run in 1995. And although PSG is champion of France and leading the way in Ligue 1 this season too, Ibrahimovic is determined to go further. “I'm never satisfied, I want to win. We've progressed well and quickly. The team has come on very quickly in the right direction,” he said. “We play very good football, we have the ball, we create chances. “There's a high level of collective quality, our mentality is progressing. Everything's going in the right direction and I'm delighted.” PSG will play Real Madrid in a friendly in Doha Thursday and Ibrahimovic is taking that match very seriously. “Unfortunately it's a friendly match but we'll treat it like a competitive match. It would be good for confidence to win.” Alonso joins Sunderland Sunderland has agreed a deal to sign Fiorentina defender Marcos Alonso on loan for the rest of the season. Alonso, who had a previous spell in the Premier League with Bolton, completed a medical with Sunderland Monday and will officially join up with his new club when the January transfer window opens on New Year's Day. The 23-year-old Spanish left-back will become boss Gus Poyet's first signing since he replaced Paolo Di Canio at the Stadium of Light in October. “I can confirm Marcos is going to be with us for the rest of the season on loan from Fiorentina, which is something very important,” Poyet said. “I was looking for a player in that position on the left side and I hope he will help us and everybody will like him. “I am delighted that everything is agreed.” Alonso began his career at Real Madrid before moving to England to join Bolton in 2010. He spent three years at the Reebok Stadium, scoring five goals in 35 league games, before joining Fiorentina in July. Alonso made just three appearances for the Serie A side in the first half of his maiden season in Italy and was told he would be allowed to leave in January. — Agencies
