Thiago Silva has already received offers from three London-based clubs after he announced his decision to leave Chelsea at the end of the season, according to reports.
The 39-year-old defender, who has made 151 appearances for Chelsea during his four-year spell at Stamford Bridge, confirmed his departure in an emotional interview on Tuesday.
Having lifted the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup, Silva said he hopes to one day return to the Premier League club "in another role" soon.
"Chelsea means a lot to me," he said. "I came here with the intention of only staying for a year and it ended up being four years. Not just for me but for my family, too.
Advert
"My sons play for Chelsea so it’s a source of great pride to be a part of the Chelsea family – literally because my sons are here. I hope they can continue their careers here at this victorious club that many players wish to be part of."
As mentioned above, Silva's two sons, Isago da Silva and Iago da Silva, are currently enjoying life with Chelsea at academy level.
And according to TNT Sports Brazil, it appears Silva's wife and children will remain in England regardless of the defender's next move.
The player has been heavily linked with a return to boyhood club Fluminense, who are keen on taking him back to Brazil.
In fact, GOAL reported last month that Silva has already reached a verbal agreement with the club and will officially sign once his contract with Chelsea expires on June 30.
But TNT suggest three London-based clubs have made proposals to the Brazil international.
At the time of writing, there has been no indication that Silva would accept or has accepted any of these proposals as the lure of Premier League football looms again.
The experienced centre-back, who joined Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2020, was on the verge of tears as he spoke about his Stamford Bridge departure.
He also thanked those who made his spell in West London a memorable one, including Frank Lampard, who signed the player during his first spell as Blues manager.
"I think in everything I did here over the four years, I always gave my all," Silva said. "But, unfortunately, everything has a start, a middle and an end. That doesn’t mean that this is a definitive end.
"I hope to leave the door open so that in the near future I can return, albeit in another role here. But…it’s an indescribable love. I can only say thank you.
"Obviously, when I started here, it was during the pandemic so there wasn’t any fans in the stadium. But through social media, it became something very special to me and then when the fans started coming back to the stadium and life was getting back to normal, I started to feel a lot of affection and respect for my story and for my start here.
"It is already hard saying goodbye in the most normal of circumstances but when there is a mutual love, it’s even harder. But one a Blue, always a Blue."
He added: "The way in which I came to the club, with the support of the club, I got to the club as a leader even though I didn’t feel like it having arrived as the new guy. It’s always difficult to integrate but bit by bit I became part of the group and (Frank) Lampard played a big part in that. I am grateful to him for that.
"[It’s been a] dream, definitely a dream. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I could achieve such great things and win one of the best professional titles, the Champions League, at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
"Goodbyes are for those that leave and don’t come back. I intend on coming back one day..."
Topics: Thiago Silva, Chelsea, Premier League, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours
Jack Kenmare