Arsenal using David Luiz to lure Thiago Silva to the club

Arsenal are hopeful of signing Thiago Silva on a free transfer with some help from David Luiz.

Silva has been with Paris Saint-Germain for the past eight years, but it has been confirmed that he will become a free-agent after the club's Champions League campaign in August.

A number of clubs including Everton and AC Milan have been credited with an interest in signing him and Le 10 Sport claims that the Gunners are also in the running to land his services.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is understood to have already held talks with Silva on a summer move, but the club's hierarchy also want Luiz to convince his compatriot to join them.

Luiz and Silva have previously played together at Paris Saint-Germain as well as the Brazilian national side. Luiz's future with the Gunners was recently put into doubt before he was rewarded with a one-year deal.

The former Chelsea man will remain with the club until the end of next season, but he may not receive the assurance of regular gametime beyond the current campaign.