Silva leaves Fulham waiting amid Chelsea interest

[Getty Images]

Fulham are in the dark over Marco Silva's future at Craven Cottage but remain keen to keep him, with a three‑year offer understood to still be on the table.

The 48‑year‑old is known to be among several candidates under consideration for the vacant head coach role at Chelsea despite having been offered a new deal in November.

Silva says he continues to need time to weigh up his decision as the Blues consider a list of options, which is understood to include former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.

Those who know Silva personally say he has ambitions to manage at the highest level, although he has also shown loyalty by rejecting multiple approaches from Saudi clubs.

It has left Fulham in the dark over the situation, but the club are understood to have contingency plans in place and have sounded out a number of alternative options.

However, their preferred outcome would be to retain Silva, who is understood to have a positive relationship with the club's ownership.

It leaves Fulham facing uncertainty, but also the prospect of a more favourable position than rivals Bournemouth, who know Andoni Iraola will leave at the end of the season, as the sides meet on Sunday while competing for European qualification.

Against that backdrop, Silva gave his most candid interview yet in his native Portuguese to DAZN last week, saying: "The club has been clear with us about its intention for us to stay here for more years."