Chelsea ‘in advanced talks to sign PSG captain Thiago Silva on a free transfer’

Chelsea are reportedly in advanced talks to secure a deal for 35-year-old Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva as Frank Lampard looks to solve his defensive woes ahead of the new season. 

The Brazilian is preparing to make his farewell appearance for the French champions in Sunday’s Champions League final and with no immediate plans to retire, he has been shopped round for his next move. 

While there was interest in a return to Italy, the Athletic report that Chelsea have been in ‘advanced talks for several days’ although the report adds a deal ‘is not regarded as close’ due to issues around contract length. 

Frank Lampard has made defensive reinforcements a priority as it has been a problem area

Chelsea have typically only offered one-year deals to players over the age of 30 and with the Brazilian turning 36 next month, there may well be a reluctance to go against that policy to recruit Silva. 

David Luiz and Willian, now both Arsenal, were both granted exceptions for their contract offers and so it could well be that Lampard’s desire to add big-game experience to his defence gets the deal done. 

Lampard has already recruited Timo Werner from RB Leipzig and Hakim Ziyech from Ajax to improve his attacking options and now the focus has shifted to shoring up what was the leakiest defence in the Premier League top 10 last season. 

Silva has won a host of trophies in Paris and would add big-game experience to Chelsea

Chelsea are also said to be monitoring Brighton’s £40m-rated Lewis Dunk should a move for Silva fail to materialise.  

Silva will not be short of options given his pedigree and on Thursday, Corriere dello Sport reported that Fiorentina are pressing ahead their offer to sign him. 

That report details that La Viola are said to be offering a £70,000-a-week deal in a bid to get him to Florence. 

Determined not to let talk of his future overshadow their Champions League campaign, Silva was coy when asked by media what is to come next.  

Speaking this week, he said: ‘I have already said a lot of times before I wanted to, that I want to finish [my career] here in Europe.

Silva has reported interest from Fiorentina as the Serie A side look to bring him back to Italy

‘A decision was taken, now things are calm in my head. It will be…another club, but my heart will stay here.’  

For Lampard, a new defender is imperative before the start of the new season on. September 12.  

Kurt Zouma, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Fikayo Tomori rotated in the centre back slots last season but shipped 54 league goals, the most of any side in the top 10. 

Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell, valued around £80m, is a target for Lampard at left back but that deal remains consigned to just interest at this stage on the Blues’ behalf.