Arsenal and four other Premier League clubs are reportedly interested in signing Thiago Silva, who is set to leave PSG this summer.
According to a report by 90 min, Arsenal are considering a move for Thiago Silva. The Brazilian defender is set to leave PSG in the summer transfer window, once his contract expires, with the Gunners among five Premier League clubs that are keen on signing him.
Thiago Silva has gone on to become one of the best central defenders in the world since joining PSG from AC Milan in the summer of 2012. Over the last eight years, the 35-year-old has been the beating heart of Les Parisiens’ defence while also being a pivotal figure for Brazil.
Over the course of his stint with PSG, Silva has gone on to amass over 300 appearances, winning as many as 21 trophies in the French capital. However, the veteran defender now appears set to leave PSG at the end of the season, and his situation has alerted Arsenal among other clubs.
Arsenal are in dire need of defensive reinforcements, having struggled to remain solid for the last few years. David Luiz has blown hot and cold in his maiden campaign at the Emirates and could be leaving this summer, while Sokratis Papastathopoulos is on the wrong side of 30 and needs to be phased out.
The likes of Calum Chambers and Rob Holding have impressed in phases, but have not managed to become regulars yet. Shkodran Mustafi, though, has shown signs of resurgence since Mikel Arteta was appointed as the Arsenal boss and could be an option to partner William Saliba next season. However, Konstantinos Mavropanos might be braced for an exit, amid interest from Bundesliga.
As a result, a couple of spots could open up in the Arsenal first-team squad this summer, which is why signing a top class centre-back is imperative for the Gunners. The north Londoners have been linked with Dayot Upamecano, but his hefty price tag could pose a problem.
Cheaper alternatives like Manuel Akanji have been identified, but Silva could be an ideal short-term option for Arsenal, if Arteta has faith in the likes of Holding, Chambers and Saliba in the long run. That he would cost nothing only makes the 35-year-old a more appealing target for them, seeing as they are likely to have a restricted budget this summer.
Arsenal, though, are not alone in the race to sign Silva, with the likes of Everton, Wolves, Newcastle United and West Ham United among the Premier League clubs vying for his signature. Apart from the quintet, clubs outside Europe are also interested, while AC Milan are hoping to re-sign him too.
What now remains to be seen is if Arsenal can manage to secure the services of Thiago Silva, if he is indeed a priority defensive target for them. For now, what seems to be certain is that the veteran is set to leave PSG at the end of the season.
