Chelsea icon Thiago Silva linked with shock return to former club at 41

Tom Weber

18 Nov 2025 03:30 CST
3 min read

Chelsea icon Thiago Silva has been discussed as a potential January target at his former club AC Milan, according to Italian media.

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The 41-year-old left Chelsea on a free transfer in the summer of 2024 to return to his boyhood club Fluminense. At the time, it seemed as though Silva's long European adventure had come to an end for good.

Although his son, Isago, stayed behind and is currently playing in Chelsea's academy, nobody would have expected that Silva could make a spectacular return to Europe as a player.

Current ETV

Thiago Silva

D (C)

Fluminense

Thiago Silva

D (C)

Fluminense

ETV Range

€0.8M - €1.2M

However, according to La Repubblica, this scenario is not as far-fetched as it seems because AC Milan are mulling over a January move for the veteran centre-back.

It is claimed that Silva's name has come up during discussions over defensive reinforcements and that the Rossoneri hierarchy is seriously weighing up the pros and cons of a shocking return to the club after 13 years.

Silva back to AC Milan?

AC Milan feel that they are in desperate need of an experienced centre-back with leadership qualities. Silva certainly ticks that box, but there is an awareness that his age makes this very much a short-term solution.

It is also interesting to note that Silva is under contract until the summer and not, as is customary in South America, until 31 December, which means that Milan would have to pay a fee to sign him in January.

On the other hand, Silva has shown that he still possesses immense quality despite his age. He proved a transformative signing for Fluminense when he rejoined them last year, saving them from the brink of relegation by marshalling a defence that kept 10 consecutive clean sheets.

This year, the veteran has made a very impressive 41 appearances despite repeatedly dealing with injuries. Moreover, he is said to have a 'great rapport' with Rossoneri boss Massimiliano Allegri, under whom he won Serie A in 2011.

It remains to be seen if anything will come of this, but it would be one of the most sensational transfers of the year if it were to materialise.

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