AC Milan are considering a shock move to bring Thiago Silva back to the club, with the defender still playing after turning 41 in September.
The Brazilian legend is back in his home country with Fluminense, returning to the club at which he started his career after leaving Chelsea in 2024.
The 113-cap Brazil international is still playing at a high level despite his advancing years and huge amount of games under his belt.
He first starred in Europe for AC Milan from 2009-12 after joining from Fluminense, going on to win Serie A with the Italian giants.
An eight-year spell with Paris Saint-Germain followed, before four seasons with Chelsea.
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Silva joined Chelsea on a one-year contract at 35 years old, but such was his impact that he stayed for a further three seasons, winning the Champions League in 2021.
A return to Fluminense looked certain to be the final move of his epic career, but there is a chance he could make a return to Europe.
Italian publication La Repubblica report that AC Milan are considering a move to re-sign the centre-back as they want to add leadership and experience to their defence.
Massimiliano Allegri is the current Milan boss and was also in charge during Silva’s previous stint with the club.
However, Fluminense do not want to lose the iconic defender and expect him to remain at the club until the end of his current contract in the summer of 2026.
Silva has said himself that he intends to honour his current deal and is leaning towards retirement when the contract comes to an end.
‘This is the contract I have with Fluminense,’ he said. ‘In my mind, I was pretty certain about the decision to maybe stop. It’s not concrete yet, it’s just my thought. Because, as I said recently, recovery is very exhausting for me.
‘Being away from my family for so long. I thought it would be easier. Honestly, I thought it would be easier and it’s not. It was our decision. [Wife] Isabelle understood perfectly. My kids, a little less. We’re always together, but I mean physically. It’s very tiring for me.
‘I think every player would like to stop at their peak, still feeling good and delivering positive results. I wouldn’t want to stop at a moment when, suddenly, someone like Kaio Jorge easily gets past me, scores a goal, and we become a laughing stock. I intend to stop at a good level, performing well. That’s my thinking.’
Silva’s agent, Paulo Tonietto, also dismissed the idea of a January move, saying via SempreMilan: ‘Thiago has a contract with Fluminense that is valid until the end of the 2025-2026 season and he intends to honour it fully, out of respect for the agreements made with the club. For the future, never say never? Of course, but not now.’