Fluminense president Mario Bittencourt has restated his ambition to sign Thiago Silva this summer after the defender's current contract with Chelsea expires.
"I'm a good friend of Thiago (Silva), I talk to him about various topics and not just about coming to Fluminense," Bittencourt told Globo.
"Right now, we have nothing, but we have a huge desire for him to come home.
"From what we have heard, his contract with Chelsea ends in the middle of the year and he would not renew it. I believe that, in Brazil, he desires to play for Fluminense.
"As soon as he is released at Chelsea, we will return to the charge. And he will help us in this very important year."
Earlier, Fluminense's sporting director also confirmed the club's intention to sign Silva after this season.
The 39-year-old has not played for the Blues for over a month due to an injury. In six games played in that period, Chelsea conceded 10 goals.
