ARSENAL are considering a move to land Paris Saint-Germain legend Thiago Silva on a free transfer this summer, according to reports.
It is understood up to five Premier League sides are chasing the veteran centre-back, who is set to be released at the end of the season.
According to 90min.com, the Gunners could face competition from Everton, Wolves, Newcastle and West Ham as well as sides in his native Brazil, the MLS, China, Japan or Qatar for the defender’s signature.
And the report adds that Arsenal may even bring Silva, 35, in to replace fellow Brazilian David Luiz, whose future remains uncertain amid a potential return to Benfica.
A source said: “Thiago is going to have his pick of clubs, once he decides where he wants to play.
“The chance to pick up a star like Thiago, despite his age, is clearly appealing and the interest in the Premier League is actually growing.”
Mikel Arteta is keen to recruit another centre-back when the transfer window opens.
Dayot Upamecano, Samuel Umititi and Daniele Rugani are among the long list of names linked, while William Saliba will return from his season-long loan at Saint-Etienne and Pablo Mari could make his switch permanent.
Everton could be in a strong position to make a deal work with Carlo Ancelotti in charge at Goodison Park.
The Italian signed Silva at PSG in 2012 and the pair spent a year together before Ancelotti joined Real Madrid.
However, the centre-back also admitted early on during his time in Paris he would like to return to AC Milan at some point in his career.
He said: “I hope to follow Kaka’s footsteps by one day, even if not right now, coming back to Milan.
“Milan was a wonderful time for me. I send the fans a big kiss, hoping to see each other again soon.
“It’s a shame I went away without saying goodbye, but it was only because I didn’t know that I would be leaving Milan.”
Since arriving from AC Milan eight years ago, the defender has established himself a key figure in the PSG squad.
His tally of 287 appearances as captain – from a total of 310 – since 2012 makes Silva the longest-serving and most-capped captain in PSG’s history.
The trophy haul is pretty impressive, too, with seven Ligue 1 titles out of eight, and nine domestic cups.
But with Presnel Kimpembe and Marquinhos already established first-team stars, Abdou Diallo arriving from Borussia Dortmund last year and the likes of teenage pair Tanguy Kouassi and Loic Mbe Soh coming through, there are plenty of younger centre-back options for Thomas Tuchel.
L’Equipe revealed the news of Silva’s imminent departure, reporting he refused to take a pay cut as part of a new deal.
However, RMC expect the 89-cap Brazil international to sign a short-term extension to ensure he is available for the remaining matches in PSG’s season.
They have already been crowned Ligue 1 champions after the season was cut short by coronavirus but booked their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals by beating Borussia Dortmund in the last 16.
