Thiago Silva’s situation at Paris Saint-Germain is an interesting one.
The defender, who went to the Ligue 1 club widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world, could be out of contract this summer, but that isn’t a certainty.
An article in Le Parisien on Tuesday, including quotes from the player’s agent, Paulo Tonietto, was published, and many British outlets have jumped on it claiming Silva ‘is out of contract next summer’ and ‘will leave on a free’.
That isn’t actually the case.
As explained by Sport Witness last month, his contract is actually until 2018 but there is a clause in the deal that stipulates he can leave a year early on a free if Paris Saint-Germain do not automatically qualify for the Champions League, meaning top two in France.
Considering how things have gone in the past in Ligue 1, that seems very unlikely, even if things haven’t quite gone to plan so far under Unai Emery.
Still, even with their struggles, the reigning champions are currently second, four points behind Nice with 29 games to go.
Amid links of a move to Chelsea and Stamford Bridge, the player’s agent told Sport Witness that no new contract was currently being negotiated.
He said: “We’re not negotiating a new contract, let’s see what happens before December. Thiago’s deal ends on June 30th 2017 if PSG don’t qualify for the Champions League. Everything is possible in football.”
Tonietto repeated these claims to Le Parisien on Tuesday adding that they’d already received offers from ‘three to four big clubs’.
The idea of the Chelsea rumours were for Thiago Silva to replace the ageing John Terry, but Tonietto added his client’s desire was ‘to stay in Paris’ as he and his family are happy in the city.
Basically it all rests on the club, but even if they don’t make an offer before December, it appears Silva and his agent, as well as any interested clubs, will need to wait until the end of the season to see if a free transfer is possible.
Two months is a long time, and there’s plenty of time for Paris Saint-Germain to make that offer before the January transfer window.
