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Leicester City miss FIFA deadline to register Adrien Silva by 14 seconds

By Harneet Singh Sethi

LISBON, PORTUGAL - JULY 22: Sporting CP midfielder Adrien Silva from Portugal during the Friendly match between Sporting CP and AS Monaco at Estadio Jose Alvalade on July 22, 2017 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL - JULY 22: Sporting CP midfielder Adrien Silva from Portugal during the Friendly match between Sporting CP and AS Monaco at Estadio Jose Alvalade on July 22, 2017 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City will miss out on the signing of Adrien Silva after they missed FIFA’s deadline to register him by 14 seconds, though they are in the process of appealing the decision.

The Foxes had already agreed terms with Sporting CP for Adrien Silva, with the fee being in the region of £22 million.

The deal was subject to international clearance and Leicester were fully confident of getting it over the line by the end of last week; however, as it turns out, they missed out on the deadline by an excruciatingly close margin. A spokesman said:

"“We are working with Adrien and Sporting Clube de Portugal to overcome some issues relating to the player’s registration and exploring all options to find a resolution.”"

Since an agreement is already in place, Leicester City will have to pay Adrien Silva’s wages, but they can’t play him until he is registered.

Adrien Silva, who was being seen as the perfect replacement to Danny Drinkwater, has made 237 appearances for Sporting so far, scoring 39 goals and assisting a further 19 during that time. The 28-year old has featured 20 times for the national side as well, recently helping them to a UEFA Euro 2016 triumph. Quite a player to miss out on.

Next: Demarai Gray heading towards the exit door

The failed move means Leicester City now find themselves short of both experience and quality in the middle of the park. The East Midlands outfit lost Drinkwater late on the Deadline Day to Chelsea in a club-record deal, which seemed good business at that time – but not anymore.

A replacement now not probably not possible till at least January, Craig Shakespeare will have to rethink as to who fits his system best. Leicester have so far played Matty James and Wilfred Ndidi in the midfield, a partnership that hasn’t worked as well as one would like it to.

Vicente Iborra nearing a return as well, it’ll most likely be James who retains his place, while Ndidi may have to warm the bench more often.

Leicester City next play Chelsea on Saturday at the King Power Stadium.

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