Thiago Silva could be considering leaving Chelsea a year early, with the centre-back keen to return to his boyhood club Fluminense this summer, according to reports.
The 38-year-old, who moved to Stamford Bridge on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020, recently signed a one-year contract extension to keep him at the club until 2024.
This was before Graham Potter was sacked and the club were out of competition for Europe, and Silva may regret his decision to sign new terms.
According to Globo Esporte, the veteran centre-back - who has recently criticized the club's ownership - is considering continuing in west London and is more interested in a return to Brazil.
Although Chelsea's poor form contributed to his decision - the club are stuck in 11th place in the Premier League table - his desire to leave is further fueled by form. Fluminense's improving and the calls are growing for his return. The team are currently three points off first place in the Brazilian Serie A and have recently brought Real Madrid legend Marcelo back to the club.
Silva is good friends with his former national team-mate and is very interested in the possibility of playing one final campaign with him.
Fluminense Brazilian defender Thiago Silva
Thiago Silva looks forward to returning to Rio de Janeiro with Fluminense (Photo:
Getty)
For his part, Marcelo is said to have urged Silva to return to Brazil privately while club president Mario Bittencourt and former striker Fred also urged him to return to Fluminense.
Their calls seem to have had the desired effect, while coach Fernando Diniz is happy to welcome him to the team despite his advanced age.
Interestingly, Silva received the honorary number 3 shirt last year and the club have not given the number to any player this season. All parties appear to want the transfer to happen this summer, although Globo reports that Silva has yet to receive approval from Chelsea's technical director Christopher Vivell.
The Brazilian will meet Chelsea's management after the season ends and try to convince them to let him end his contract early despite signing an extension three months ago.
Silva's thoughts are unlikely to be changed by the appointment of a new manager and his final game for Chelsea could be at home to Newcastle on May 28.
The veteran defender began his career at Fluminense, arriving from the academy, but left before appearing at a higher level, although he did return - initially on loan from Dynamo Moscow - in three years before joining AC Milan in 2009.
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