EPL: I told Chelsea to sign him – Thiago Silva laments as midfielder joins rivals

Chelsea’s veteran defender, Thiago Silva has revealed he told the West London club to sign Lucas Paqueta.

West Ham confirmed on the transfer deadline day that they had completed a ‘club-record deal’ for Brazil midfielder Paqueta.

In a deal that could rise to £50m, the Hammers paid an initial £36.5m for the Lyon star.

Silva said he spoke to the Blues about exploring the possibility of signing the midfielder before he made a move to their London rivals West Ham.

“I heard he was about to leave Lyon [so] had some conversations here with some people, but unfortunately things didn’t work out,” Silva told ESPN Brazil.

“We weren’t 100% sure he would leave Lyon. The last week arrived, this thing got a lot [clearer], and we had some other priorities because of the injuries we have in the team.

“So we needed a striker, another defender. A midfielder, was a little less. I think that’s why things didn’t evolve well.”