Paris Saint-Germain Make Big Step Toward Realising Potential, Open to Investors

Paris Saint-Germain is an underachieving football club and has been ever since its 1970 founding.

Les Rouge-et-Bleu have tasted Ligue 1 glory just twice—the last time coming in 1994.

While PSG was ranked the No. 1 side in Europe as per 1998's UEFA club coefficient, les Parisiens have rested upon their laurels ever since, failing to land anything more than cup trophies since being crowned continental royals.

And as they play in Paris, that is simply unacceptable.

After all, football world beaters represent the major cities—like France's City of Light.

Frankly, PSG ought to be one of the top sides in the world.

London saw Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur off to the UEFA Champions League this year; Spain's giant cities boast FC Barcelona and Real Madrid; Milan is home to both A.C. and Inter; Bayern is the pride of Munich.

In an October interview with Republican Lorrain, Arsenal genius Arsène Wenger weighed in on the state of the French capital's footballing outfit amid rampant speculation that he, if/when he leaves north London, might take on a role with les Parisiens.

"PSG is the only club in the world which is based in an area of 10 million inhabitants and doesn't have any competition (from a rival club)," the Arsenal boss stated.

"What needs to be done is to get a group of investors around the table to provide the club with some financial muscle."

When wizard Wenger speaks on turning a disappointing high potential side around, the wise man listens.

Paris Saint-Germain president Robin Leproux appears to be taking after said wise man.

"Sébastien Bazin (head of Colony Capital Europe) allowed me to disclose that there are talks to sell a minority stake (in the club)," Leproux told French paper Le Parisien on Sunday.

"The arrival of new partners would be great for everybody at the club ... having extra (financial) means would strengthen us and offer us new perspectives," Leproux added.

"Today, there are (transfer) figures that just aren't at our level. The arrival of a new partner alongside Colony Capital would enable us to jump a hurdle."

Leproux could not identify any parties looking to get involved with the club, but the paper claims negotiations are ongoing with both American and Eastern European groups.

While Leproux has made some discouraging statements regarding PSG's direction of late, this news comes as music to the ears of les Rouge-et-Bleu faithful.

The last time Paris Saint-Germain had financial muscle to flex, back in the Canal+ ownership period, Parisiens saw the likes of David Ginola, George Weah, Nicolas Anelka and Ronaldinho grace the Parc des Princes pitch.

If PSG can entice footballers even close to comparable with the names above as a result of added capital, consistent challenging in Le Championnat and the UEFA Champions League is not outside of the realm of possibility.

Combine the impressive form of the squad at present with a cash influx in the first six months of 2011 and Paris may yet join Europe's giant cities in being represented by a footballing powerhouse.