SoccerAnchor’s Rick D'Andrea takes a look at Ezequiel Lavezzi's transfer from Napoli to the Parc des Princes with Paris Saint-Germain. 

EZEQUIEL LAVEZZI

FROM: NAPOLI  TO:  PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

PRICE: €26 million

Paris Saint-Germain’s first major signing of the 2012 summer transfer season was Napoli’s Ezequiel Lavezzi for a reported €26million.

Having targeted the Argentine international by offering in excess of €4.5m in wages and objective bonuses, the winger/forward opted to move across to the Parc des Princes from the Serie A.

Lavezzi was instrumental for the Partenopei over the past few seasons, not only for his goalscoring abilities, but because of his pace and assist qualities. Requiring a very fast and technically strong right-sided player to beat him one-on-one, ‘El Pocho’ taunted opposition defences with pacy runs down the left, and superb chemistry with strike partner Edinson Cavani.

Often, Lavezzi would be the one to get past the first stopper, look up and spot his team-mate, who would finish off the move into the back of the net.

One of the major attractions – outside of the money – for Lavezzi’s move across to the Qatari Investment Authority-owned club is the lure of playing in the 2012/13 Champions League and winning silverware. The Azzurri failed to reach the prestigious European club tournament this time around after putting in a strong performance against eventual winners Chelsea in the Round of 16, meaning the world had realised how good the player could be. Having also missed out on winning the League title and only claiming a Coppa italia with the Partenopei signified the club weren't quite at the same level as Lavezzi had hoped.

Add to this playing alongside Argentina national team-mate Javier Pastore, and Lavezzi seems as if he will settle in quickly and do what he does best. Also, knowing several former Serie A players will make it easier to adapt to playing Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical formation.

Instead of Cavani, Lavezzi will get to work alongside another giant centre-forward, further known for his abilities to finish off moves into the back of the net: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. With these two up front, PSG can realistically aim for a Ligue 1 title, as well as progression out of the Group Stage of the Champions League – depending on what teams they are drawn alongside.