Arsenal are one of five Premier League teams who are weighing up offering Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Thiago Silva a contract for next season, according to reports in the UK.
The Gunners, along with Wolves, Everton, Newcastle and West Ham are all said to be keen on the 35-year-old, who will be leaving the Parc des Princes this summer after eight years in France.
Fans on Twitter had a mixed reaction to the club’s interest in Silva:
If only this were 2013
— Mr Wil (@Engr_Wil) June 9, 2020
Better than david Luiz
— Adão (@adaofilho7) June 9, 2020
No way should we pick him up. We move like new york jets and knicks. Come to arsenal when you are past your sell on date.
— Richard Grant (@SnoopyGooner) June 10, 2020
Nah. Won't be able to afford or justify the salary.
— FionnArsenal (@FionnArsenal) June 9, 2020
Not another reject
— S. E. R. I. K. I (@AlliYakubu) June 9, 2020
His about 45 and still better than any of our cb's ???♂️
— Anton (@AntonAstley92) June 9, 2020
Class act
— Football Genuis (@genuis_football) June 9, 2020
He is like 35!!!
So why???— tudor doru (@tudor79) June 9, 2020
Hell no
— Saumitra Tiwari (@shanuabhi) June 9, 2020
Another old man, come on
— Mduduzi nxumalo (@Mdu_Sabz) June 10, 2020
The Brazilian international has won eight league titles during his illustrious career and has 89 caps for his country so he does have the pedigree.
However, there is no doubt that Silva is past his best, and the fact that he is also untested in the Premier League, where speed as a centre-back is needed, is a major concern.
Another worry would be his wages. Arsenal’s players have already been asked to take a 12.5% wage cut during the global health crisis and handing out a sizeable contract to the Brazilian would not send the right message to the rest of the squad.
