Thiago Silva admits he held talks with PSG sports chief Leonardo about staying in Paris before signing with Chelsea.

The former PSG captain was unveiled to the local English media yesterday and is set to make his Chelsea debut tonight against Carabao Cup opponents Barnsley.

Thiago Silva said: "To tell the truth, it started during lockdown. Leonardo called me and asked me to extend for two months in order to play the end of the Champions League. I said 'ok, no problem' because I wanted to continue and stay in the group to finish what I had started.

"I thought that after the Champions League, I would no longer be there. I spoke to my agent about this and we were looking at other options for my future. And after the Champions League final, back in Paris, we had meetings with Leonardo and I informed him of my intentions and we discussed the possibility of staying. But the Monday morning after that, I had already given Chelsea my consent and made my decision.

"But I am very grateful to PSG, for everything they have done in my life and in that of my family."