Chelsea
are close to signing defender Thiago Silva on a one-year deal.
The Brazilian centre-back, 35, became a free agent following PSG's Champions
League final defeat to Bayern Munich on Sunday.
Silva, who spent eight years with PSG after joining from AC Milan in 2012,
will become Frank Lampard's third signing of the summer following the
arrivals of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner.
With Chelsea keen to strengthen having been banned from signing players last
summer, the London club could also complete deals for Leicester left-back
Ben Chilwell and Bayer Leverkusen forward Kai Havertz before the start of
the new season.
SIlva won seven Ligue 1 titles during his time in France, but leaves the
club having failed to achieve the European success desired most in Paris.
Despite sealing a fourth-placed finish and qualification for next season's
Champions League, Chelsea struggled defensively throughout Lampard's debut
campaign in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Analysis: Chelsea can benefit from wealth
of experience
Sky Sports' Ben Grounds:
Having conceded 54 Premier League goals last season, the worst record in the
top half and 21 more than champions Liverpool, it was clear that Chelsea
head coach Frank Lampard was not going to end his transfer business with
Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.
Strengthening his defensive options was always on the agenda and Silva
showed there is still value in bringing the 35-year-old to Stamford Bridge
with an assured display in the Champions League final, despite his side
falling short.
Chelsea may have to offload one of their four senior centre-halves in order
to raise funds: Fikayo Tomori has been linked with a loan move to Rennes,
there has been talk of Kurt Zouma heading in the opposite direction while
Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger are entering the final two years of
their current deals.
But for those who stay on next season, Silva would offer a wealth of
experience and will aid the development of the highly-rated 18-year-old
defender Xavier Mbuyamba - the Dutchman signed after cancelling his contract
at Barcelona and dubbed the 'next Virgil van Dijk'.
Lisbon didn't provide the perfect send-off for the PSG club captain in his
315th and final game, but the centre-back did impress against Europe's top
marksman Robert Lewandowski and marshalled the back four superbly for an
hour before the breakthrough.
His important block to deny Kinglsey Coman a second with the shackles off
the Bavarians kept his side in the game.
In his eight years in Paris, Thiago won seven Ligue 1 titles, and he showed
his leadership again as the defensive pivot on Sunday - completing more
passes (38) and having more touches (57) than any other team-mate, while his
six clearances was also a game-high contribution.
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