Chelsea legend John Terry has given his seal of approval for the club to sign free agent Thiago Silva this summer.
The Blues have struggled to find a leader at the heart of their defence since Terry’s departure back in 2017 but are reportedly closing in on Paris Saint-Germain captain Silva, 35, who has emerged as Frank Lampard’s top target.
Silva’s eight-year stay with PSG came to a disappointing end as they were defeated by Bayern Munich in last night’s Champions League final and the Brazilian confirmed that the match would be his last for the Ligue 1 giants.
‘This was my last match at PSG. I am sad,’ the Brazilian told French outlet RMC Sport.
‘I apologise to the supporters. I want to thank all the fans for their love.
‘I will come back to PSG… I want to play for three or four more years and be at the World Cup in Qatar.’
Widespread reports suggest Chelsea have agreed a two-year contract with Silva and that the centre-half is ready to take a pay cut to push through a move to Stamford Bridge.
‘Thiago Silva says goodbye to PSG after 8 years and 23 trophies,’ Instagram account 433 posted shortly after PSG’s defeat on Sunday evening.
‘His move to Chelsea in almost done.’
Former Chelsea captain Terry, clearly an admirer of the Brazil international, ‘liked’ the post, along with young midfielder Billy Gilmour.
Chelsea proved many doubters wrong by securing a top-four finish last season but their current crop of defenders have come under scrutiny after shipping 54 goals across the Premier League campaign.
Lampard has been determined to bring in an experienced head at centre-back, with Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta his only current options over the age of 25.
Asked about Chelsea’s plans to strengthen after their crushing defeat to Bayern last month, Lampard said: ‘We will look at that because that’s our job, my job and we’re very joined up with how we’ve worked at it already.
‘From having a transfer ban, you feel the fact we missed out where other clubs had spent and improved and recruitment is a big part of this game.
‘Nights like tonight for me from a footballing sense show me a lot so it’s a conversation now the season is ended.
‘It’s a very quick turnaround but now is the time to see what areas we can improve in.’
