Thiago Silva’s contract at Chelsea is set to expire later this summer but it seems Fluminense have already been laying down the ground work to sign their former player, having reportedly ‘been in contact with him every week’.
The 39-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020 but this could be his final season playing for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, having been one of the Blues’ most important players over the past four seasons.
In January, Silva admitted that his career ‘was almost over’ and that he was ‘relaxed about the future’ having not yet agreed a new deal with Chelsea.
That could come as big news for Fluminense president, Mario Bittencourt, who according to their sporting director Fred, see’s him as a ‘dream signing’.
‘Thiago Silva has been a dream of ours for a long time, the president [Bittencourt] talks to him almost every week,’ Fluminense sporting director Fred, told ESPN Brasil.
Silva, who played alongside Fred for Brazil, enjoyed two spells with Fluminense during his career, the first coming as an academy player before he returned to play for the Brazil first-tier side between 2006 and 2009.
During his econd spell, the centre-back would make 97 appearances for the before moving to AC Milan.
‘Thiago has a contract in England,’ Fred added. ‘We’re rooting for him. I personally am a friend of his, I’m a big fan of his character, he deserves all the best. He knows here that the doors are wide open for him to return. There is nothing [imminent].
‘We have to be careful not to put pressure on Thiago. The fans love Thiago, we love Thiago and Thiago loves Fluminense.’
But Fred went as far as saying that it was ‘inevitable’ that Silva would join his former club.
‘One day it’s inevitable, it will happen, it’s the players wish, the club’s wish and we hope it happens as soon as possible.’
In a separate interview with ESPN Brasil, Bittencourt shed further light on whether the club would be able to sign Silva, but was hopeful he would return.
‘It depends much more on him than on us,’ the president said. ‘But he [Silva] said that when his contract ends there, he will return home. I hope he comes back.’
Silva has continued to be a highly valued member of Pochettino’s squad this season, starting in 22 of their 26 Premier League matches while scoring three times across all competitions.
But he could leave the Blues this summer with the west London club reportedly interested in signing Nottingham Forest defender Murillo.
Silva, though, seems not too concerned about his future and when asked if he could move back to Brazil, he told Hayters TV: ‘I don’t have anything scheduled for later, I’m just looking to have fun.
‘We know it’s almost over, but it’s not the end yet. So pick the right time. I’m still able to maintain a good performance, my numbers are good, and this gives me peace of mind to continue. Now, the future belongs to God.
‘Let’s finish well here, these four months and see what happens going forward, but I’m super relaxed about that.’
