By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

20th Oct, 2023 | 4:00pm

Sources: Big update on Thiago Silva quitting Chelsea

Thiago Silva is now increasingly likely to leave Chelsea at the end of the season, sources have told Football Insider.

The defender, who turned 39 last month, is in the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge.

He penned an extension in February of this year but is now expected to quit at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Chelsea are happy to let Silva depart despite his status as a firm fan favourite, as they believe the likes of Levi Colwill, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashile and Wesley Fofana will provide adequate cover in future seasons.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have a clear strategy of signing young players and developing their talent and signed several elite starlets in the summer window.

Silva currently earns a reported wage of £110,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea chiefs have identified next summer as a good time to get that outlay off the wage bill as they look to ramp up that project in the coming seasons.

Despite his advancing years, Silva has remained a key player for Pochettino’s side.

He has started and played 90 minutes in each of their Premier League fixtures so far this season while being rested in the League Cup.

The ex-Paris Saint-Germain star turned out 35 times across all competitions for Chelsea last term.

Silva has won 113 caps for Brazil but has not played for his country since they lost on penalties against Croatia at the 2022 World Cup.

He joined Chelsea on a free transfer in 2020 and won the Champions League in his first season at Stamford Bridge.

The veteran has also lifted the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup during his time in London.

In other news, Chelsea star happy to sign new deal after Pochettino U-turn.