Thiago
Silva is due to undergo a Chelsea medical in Milan on Thursday - despite
last-ditch efforts by Paris Saint-Germain to offer him a new deal.
The finishing touches to an offer have been agreed between Chelsea and the
35-year-old Brazilian in the past 48 hours.
After undergoing his medical in Milan, the centre-back is then expected to
fly from Italy to London on Friday to begin a 14-day period of
self-isolation before joining up with Frank Lampard's squad.
Although joining on a 12-month contract, it is believed the Brazilian could
stay at Stamford Bridge for a further season.
PSG manager Thomas Tuchel remains a huge advocate of Silva - and has
continued this week to try to keep the former AC Milan defender in Ligue 1
for a ninth season.
However Silva's fellow Brazilian, PSG's sporting director Leonardo, does not
share Tuchel's plan and wants Silva to leave.
One source is Brazil has told Sky Sports News relations between Silva and
Leonardo had deteriorated, prompting Silva to want a fresh challenge at
Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
Chelsea have been keen to strengthen having been banned from signing players
last summer.
The London club completed the signing of left-back Ben Chilwell from
Leicester for £50m on Wednesday, with the England international arriving at
Stamford Bridge on a five-year-deal.
The Blues also remain in talks with Bayer Leverkusen to sign their 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.
French football journalist Jonathan
Johnson says Thiago Silva is looking for a ‘new adventure’ ahead of his
expected move to Chelsea
Sky Sports News' Kaveh Solhekol:
"Anyone who watched the Champions League final, Thiago Silva, even though
he's 35, he's still an exceptional centre-back. He's got leadership
qualities, he's got so much experience, and what Chelsea have really been
missing at the back is that kind of experience.
"They've got quite a few young centre-backs, and I don't think Frank Lampard
has been totally convinced by any of them. That's why he's wanted someone
with experience and Thiago Silva is available.
"He wants to move to London, he wants to play in the Premier League, and he
wants to carry on playing because he still thinks he can play for Brazil in
the next World Cup.
"If you look at Chelsea's defensive record, no one conceded more goals than
Chelsea in the top half of the Premier League last season. They conceded 54
goals and with Thiago Silva in the side, he can address that problem.
"In the past, we have seen Chelsea have experienced centre-backs. I am
thinking of players like Marcel Desailly, for instance, and the impact they
have had at Stamford Bridge.
"I do not need to speak Thiago Silva up, everybody knows how good he is. The
only question mark I would think about him going forward is can he maintain
that level? He's going to be 36 next month but watching him in the Champions
League final it looks like a great signing for Chelsea."
Analysis: Silva deal makes sense for
Chelsea
Sky Sports' Nick Wright:
"It is, in many ways, a measure of the paucity of centre-back options out
there that Chelsea are turning to a 35-year-old who turns 36 next month. But
on a free transfer having reached the end of his contract with Paris
Saint-Germain, the Brazilian could still prove an invaluable addition.
"Silva showed he can still cut it at the highest level in Sunday's Champions
League final. The result was ultimately disappointing for him and for PSG,
but SIlva was instrumental in keeping Robert Lewandowski quiet for long
periods and coped well with Bayern Munich's pacey wingers too.
"Those defensive qualities, coupled with his ball-playing ability, make him
a good fit for Frank Lampard's side but what should be even more useful is
his experience - especially in a Chelsea backline which lacks it.
"Silva is, after all, a serial winner. He lifted the Serie A title with AC
Milan in only his second season in Europe and, since his move to PSG in
2012, he has been a part of 23 domestic trophy triumphs. Chelsea are crying
out for some leadership and knowhow at the back and Silva will also be able
to mentor the many young hopefuls aiming to break into Lampard's squad. His
age means he is not a long-term solution, but he has plenty to offer in the
short-term."
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