By LEWIS BROWNING, SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 13:30 EST, 15 December 2025 | Updated: 13:30 EST, 15 December 2025
Former Chelsea defender has said his goodbyes to his Fluminense team-mates ahead of a potential exit, putting Premier League clubs on red alert, according to reports in Brazil.
The defender's contract runs until the end of the season, but, after his side were knocked out of the Cope do Brasil, there have been suggestions that he could depart now, according to GE.
Silva, now 41, spoke about his wish to retire with his boyhood club, but has also made his ambitions of playing in the World Cup clear. The suggestion is, therefore, that he will not retire.
While he has been linked with a move to Milan, it is understood that Silva has found it difficult being away from his family, who still live in London due to his sons being in Chelsea's youth academy.
Silva played for the Blues between 2020 and 2024, playing over 100 times for the club, and was forced to leave his family behind when he left Chelsea for Brazil at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Therefore, Premier League clubs will be on red alert over a potential move for Silva as he looks to spend more time with his family, including footballer son Iago.
Thiago Silva has reportedly said goodbye to his Fluminense team-mates as he looks to move closer to his family - pictured: Silva with wife Isabella
Thiago Silva's son Iago is in Chelsea's academy, alongside his older brother Isago
Silva's contract in his homeland runs until mid-2026 but he could leave the club early
Iago earned his first call-up toEngland's Under-15s squad earlier this year, despite his father earning 113 caps for the Brazilian national team. Iago is eligible to play for England through residency, having lived in west London since Thiago joined Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020.
Thiago's youngest son is not the only budding footballer in the Silva family. His older brother, Isago, is also a star of Chelsea's academy.
The 17-year-old defender has progressed through the prestigious Stamford Bridge youth setup from Under-13 to Under-18 level and is not far off earning a first-team call-up.
While with the Blues, Silva played 155 times and was an ever-present in defence. Speaking during his Chelsea days, the legendary centre back said: 'I have to say, at every club I've been at, I've felt a lot of love from the clubs themselves and the fans, but here it feels a little bit different, because of the fact that my kids are playing in the team too.
'For me, it would be a dream to see them play professionally at Chelsea. I love watching them, ultimately, and I try to help them as much as I can.
'I love seeing my kids playing here, my wife is here all the time and even wants to be at every away game. I think she realises that time is running out slightly, so she wants to make the most of the last few years of my career.
'When I got here, it felt like love at first sight, to be honest, and I'm still very proud to be here.'
Silva's wife, Isabelle da Silva, meanwhile, opted not to shy away from the limelight while her husband was a player and is an ardent fan and vehement critic of the teams her husband plays for. No punches are pulled when she has a strong opinion. After Chelsea's woeful 4-2 defeat by Wolves at Stamford Bridge in Feburary 2024, she posted on X: 'It's time for change. If you wait any longer it will be too late.
Isabelle also appears to have stayed in London while her husband has been away, but they could soon be set for a more settled reunion.