PSG boss Thomas Tuchel ‘made last-ditch effort to convince Thiago Silva to stay’ but Brazil defender ‘wants a fresh challenge at Chelsea’ after falling out with sporting director Leonardo
- Thiago Silva is nearing a move to join Chelsea after leaving Ligue 1 giants PSG
- He played his last game for the Parisians in their Champions League final loss
- The Brazilian is set to undergo a medical with Frank Lampard’s side on Thursday
- PSG reportedly made a late bid to try to secure the defender to a new contract
PSG made an eleventh-hour bid to convince Thiago Silva to stay with the club ahead of his move to Chelsea, reports claim.
The Brazilian will undergo a medical with the Stamford Bridge outfit on Thursday after stating he had played his last game for the French side in their Champions League final defeat against Bayern.
But according to Sky Sports, the club made a last-ditch attempt to sign him up to a new deal – with the defender instead seeking a fresh chapter after falling out with sporting director Leonardo.
PSG reportedly made a last-ditch attempt to persuade Thiago Silva to stay at the club
Manager Thomas Tuchel is said to have been desperate to keep hold of his Brazilian defender
Silva is set to become the latest addition to Frank Lampard’s squad after a busy summer already that has already seen three signings arrive, but his manager Thomas Tuchel has spent this week trying to convince him to stay, the report adds.
It claims Leonardo does not hold the 35-year-old in the same regard and wants his exit to go through, with relations between the pair thought to have deteriorated.
This has prompted Silva to decide his future lies elsewhere, and now sees his next challenge in the Premier League – where Chelsea are reportedly keen to make him the club captain.
But he is seeking a new chapter after he fell out with the club’s sporting director Leonardo
Silva played 315 times across eight seasons for the Ligue 1 side, winning seven domestic titles.
He won the French Cup this summer but had been hoping to bow out with European glory – instead PSG were left heartbroken by a 1-0 loss to their Bundesliga counterparts.
Silva’s expected arrival will follow £50million left back Ben Chilwell, who signed from Leicester City on Wednesday on a five-year deal – with the Blues making a real statement with their acquisitions this summer.
Highly-coveted German forward Timo Werner joined from RB Leipzig earlier this summer, along with Ajax midfielder Hakim Ziyech, with Lampard keen to turn the club into serious title challengers.
Silva is set for a medical with Chelsea on Thursday ahead of a move to Frank Lampard’s side
Talented young midfielder Kai Havertz has also been heavily linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge and is close to sealing a £90m transfer – which would be a club record deal.
According to Brazilian outlet Globo, Lampard will ask Silva to wear the armband for the 2020-21 season, taking it from current incumbent Cesar Azpilicueta.
Speaking about his future after his final game for PSG, Silva intimated that he wants to continue playing until he is at least 38, and is targeting a spot in the Brazil squad for Qatar 2022.
He insisted the Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich was his last game for PSG
‘It was my last game in Paris. I am sad. I apologise to the fans,’ Silva said following the defeat against Bayern.
‘I thank all the fans for their love. I will return to Paris and this club that I love in another role.
‘I want to play three to four years still and be part of Brazil team in the Qatar World Cup.’