Cavani, Silva to leave PSG at the end of this month

Cavani is the all-time highest goal-scorer for the club while Silva is its longest-serving captain, having taken over the arm band in 2012.

"Yes, we are coming to the end," Leonardo said in an interview with newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche.

"It has been a very difficult decision to reach. These are players who have marked the history of the club and you wonder if you should carry on a little longer together or if it's best to avoid staying a year too long.

"We needed to make the right decision, including in economic terms and in terms of the next generation of players coming through."

PSG won a third successive French Ligue 1 title and made striker Mauro Icardi's move to the club permanent but their financial position has been significantly weakened by the league's early end due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Both Silva and Cavani joined PSG from Italian clubs in the early years of the Qatari ownership of the French club. While Silva joined from AC Milan in 2012, Cavani joined from Napoli in 2013.