Thiago Silva is expected to leave Chelsea at the end of the season upon the expiry of his contract - ending his four-year stay at Stamford Bridge.
The Brazilian veteran, 39, joined the Blues in the summer of 2020 and won the Champions League in his debut season under Thomas Tuchel, establishing himself as a firm fan-favourite in west London.
However, there have been no formal talks over a contract extension to date and sources have now indicated that barring a significant U-turn, Silva is poised to depart on a free transfer when his current deal is up. It's no secret that former club Fluminense have been working tirelessly on a move to bring the former PSG captain home.
Fluminense's president Mario Bittencourt revealed earlier this week that he remains in close contact with the experienced Brazil international and that he has made it abundantly clear the door is wide open for an emotional return.
Silva played for the club's academy between 1998 and 2000 before returning in 2006 on loan from Russian outfit Dynamo Moscow. He would later re-sign on a permanent deal before heading to AC Milan in 2009.
Sources also anticipate that Silva will opt to end his 15-year stay in Europe and return to his homeland. In any case, Fluminense would be his preferred destination of choice but there is currently no deal in place, nor have there been any formal negotiations.
Speaking in February, Mauricio Pochettino defended his relationship with Silva after he decided to drop him for the 3-1 FA Cup triumph at Aston Villa. The decision was taken just days after Silva's wife Belle had urged the Blues to sack Pochettino on social media.
Pochettino later clarified: "I am not going to talk in the way we were talking. The important thing is he came and wanted to talk with me. He knows me after more than 10 years, who I am, we are a very strong coaching staff and the way we operate. Of course he came to talk. We talked. It was private. And that's it."
Chelsea will have to raise funds through player sales to remain compliant with Premier League PSR rules when the transfer window opens but they're also expecting to continue investing in their defence.
Trevoh Chalobah is also among those who could leave the club while Malang Sarr is almost certain to depart as he has been left in the cold training away from the first team at Cobham.
Benoit Badiashile has attracted interest from AC Milan but there is still hope he will fulfil his potential at Stamford Bridge. Wesley Fofana is also on the comeback trail having missed the entirety of the campaign through injury.