Tottenham, Arsenal want free agent, but PL rivals open talks
Tottenham and Arsenal want to sign free agent Thiago Silva, but Everton have already opened talks with the defender, claims a report.
Jose Mourinho has earmarked free-agent Silva as the man to replace Jan Vertonghen, who is set to leave London this summer, according to The Sun.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is also keen on snapping up the 35-year-old, who will leave the Ligue 1 champions this summer.
PSG sporting director Leonardo has told the Journal De Dimanche that PSG have reached the “very difficult decision” to release centre-back Silva and striker Edinson Cavani at the end of their contracts this summer.
He said: “It was a very difficult decision to make. These are players who have marked the history of the club.
“Their stories were so beautiful. But yes, we are coming to the end.
“We had to make a logical decision, economically speaking and with regard to the generation that is coming through.”
The north London duo though are already playing catch-up regarding Silva, according to Italian transfer expert Nicolo Shira.
Schira claims talks are underway and Silva’s relationship with current Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti could prove to be a decisive factor.
The Italian boss managed Silva at the beginning of his eight-year spell with Paris Saint-Germain.
#Everton have opened talks with #ThiagoSilva as a free agent. The presence of Carlo #Ancelotti on the #Toffees bench could be decisive to beat the competition. #transfers #EFC
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) June 13, 2020
The one big drawback to any deal for the experienced centre-back will be trying to negotiate his personal terms.
The Brazilian is on a reported weekly wage of around £350,000 and although he’s not commanded that salary in all his spell in Paris, he has picked that up for at least the last two years.
He signed a contract extension in December 2016 to take him up until June 2020.
Silva will have to take a cut in his wages, but he will still expect t be picking up a six-figure weekly sum and that may well be too much for the likes of the Premier League trio.