Chelsea eye £85m defender as Thiago Silva replacement but PSG could ruin plans

Chelsea are planning a summer swoop for Lille defender Leny Yoro as the Blues plan to sign a replacement for Thiago Silva.

The Brazilian defender is set to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer as his contract is about to expire.

The defender has made 23 Premier League appearances this season but Chelsea have already started planning for the future as Silva is going to turn 40 in September.

According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea are considering signing Yoro. As per the report, club executives “consider the 18-year-old an ideal addition,” but they will have fierce competition to recruit him.

Chelsea face competition for Yoro

European giants Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly interested in him and they can offer him the charm of European football, that Chelsea cannot.

Chelsea are also considering Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo and Sporting’s Ousmane Diomande as defensive alternatives, according to the report.

Silva’s future is uncertain at the club and it remains to be seen if he takes the option of retirement or continues his football away from the Stamford Bridge.

Thiago Silva is set to leave Chelsea

“The end of my career is approaching and it’s not easy,” Silva told Sky Sports Italia.

“I have to think if I retire or if I continue, and where I go. There’s the family, I have two sons who play for Chelsea.”

“At the moment I’ll take the opportunity to play and make the most of this last year of my contract at Chelsea. But I’m very happy and proud of the career I’ve had, of what I’m doing now at 39 years old.”

Silva has enjoyed a successful career having played for AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain for most of his career.

The centre-back is regarded as one of the finest defenders of his generation. He has 113 caps for Brazil. Among several titles on club level, Silva has won the Copa America while playing for Brazil.