Report: PSG set to beat Chelsea to Paredes' signature

Paris Saint-Germain are shifting their search for a defensive midfielder to the Russian top flight.

With Frenkie de Jong off to Barcelona after being linked to both Manchester City and PSG, reports surfaced Wednesday suggesting the latter is set to top Chelsea for the services of Zenit St. Petersburg headliner Leandro Paredes.

PSG will splash around €40 million for the 24-year-old Boca Juniors product despite reports earlier in January that Chelsea agreed to a deal in principle with the nine-time capped Argentinian international, according to The Telegraph's Jason Burt. Chelsea had hoped to secure Paredes' services as a squad replacement for Monaco-bound Cesc Fabregas, with the Blues also linked with Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella.

Under Thomas Tuchel, PSG have employed center-half Marquinhos as a defensive midfielder this season to mixed results. With box-to-box stud Adrien Rabiot gone in the summer, the capital city club has a glaring need to fill in the midfield. A traditional regista from his time at Roma, Paredes typically camps in front of the back-four and looks to ping the ball forward with incisive passes and through balls.