Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva has again stressed he will honor his long-term contract with the capital club, despite being heavily linked with a summer move to Barcelona.
Barcelona-based newspaper Sport last week reported that the Catalan club had agreed personal terms with the 28-year-old Brazil defender, but this was swiftly denied by the player's agent Paulo Tonietto. Thiago Silva has now also spoken out to clarify his future plans, and vowed to see out his existing agreement at the Parc des Princes which runs until 2017.
Speaking to Brazilian newspaper Globoesporte, in quotes published on PSG's official website, he said: "Rumors? I have a four-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain and I will respect this. The season will start as the last one ended. I'll wear the jersey of Paris.
"The coach (Laurent Blanc) has set me free so I can enjoy my vacation (after the Confederations Cup), but count on me for the Trophee des Champions against Bordeaux on August 3. He asked me if I wanted to come back sooner, and I want to resume July 30."
Barcelona manager Titi Vilanova explained earlier in the week his intention to lure the Brazilian defender to join the Camp Nou squad. "The intention is to find a centre-back. I would like him [Thiago Silva] to come, but I have not given just one name. We want to sign a center back," Vilanova told a press conference on Tuesday.
"We already talked in November and February [about replacements]," he continued. "[Seydou] Keita left and Song had to come. We thought he could fill the gap and did not count on the possibility of having so many injuries and so much bad luck. We will bring in a central defender, for sure."
