Mikel Arteta isn’t wasting any time getting his squad ready for the 2020/21 campaign, and has already held talks with a free agent as he eyes his latest defensive recruitment.
According to a report from Alexis Bernard at Le10 Sport, Arsenal are ready to make a move for out-of-contract Thiago Silva, who will leave PSG at the end of this season.
At 35 years of age, the centre back certainly has experience on his side and recently agreed mutually with the Ligue 1 champions that his time should come to an end after eight years playing in the French capital.
A hot prospect for anyone in the Premier League, Silva will have his suitors in England, with former PSG manager Carlo Ancelotti also eyeing up an offer to bring the Brazilian to Everton.
But it’s believed Arteta has moved one step ahead after making direct contact with Silva, who will turn 36 by the time the new season kicks off in September.
The report from Le10 Sport goes on to outline that those conversations were facilitated by David Luiz, who has played alongside Silva throughout his career at both PSG and their country, Brazil.
Whilst he’s on the wrong side of 30, Silva would bring a heap of experience to the Gunners, as well as a winning mentality with the multitude of trophies he’s won at PSG and AC Milan.
Taking a look at Arsenal’s defensive options next season, its clear to see Arteta is trying to balance the level of youth and experience to a particular degree.
With William Saliba arriving in August and the expected departure of out-of-favour Sokratis, it seems Arteta has a long-term plan on how he wants to shape his side for years to come.
Another reason this move would make sense is down to Arsenal’s financial pressure this summer, considering a lack of European football is now a very realistic prospect following a dismal restart in the Premier League.
Silva would arrive on a free, allowing the Gunners to only sweat over the defenders wages, which you imagine may be pretty steep considering his marketability across the world.
However, multiple reports have outlined Silva’s desperation to come and play in the Premier League before he draws the curtain on his career.