Craig Shakespeare concedes Adrien Silva deal still “up in the air”

Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare has admitted that the deadline day deal for Sporting Clube de Portugal midfielder Adrien Silva is still “up in the air”.

Despite the summer transfer deadline passing over a week ago, the Foxes have still not completed the reported £22m transfer for the 28-year-old.

The East-Midlanders required an extension on Deadline Day in an effort to tie-up the deal. The transfer was not able to be completed as a result of the Foxes missing their extended deadline by an extraordinary 14 seconds.

It was reported that FIFA refused to provide the appropriate international clearance as a result of this delay in Leicester City submitting correct paperwork; however, Shakespeare revealed that a solution is still trying to be found and hopes it will be soon. Ahead of his team’s clash with Chelsea at the weekend, Shakespeare said:

"“We know that a deal has been agreed but we are still trying to finalise that. It is still up in the air. For me, as a football person, of course it’s a very rare occasion.“From my point of view as manager, you identify the players and leave the other bits to the legal people.“It’s important at the moment to keep a level head about it and let the legal people get on with it. Purely from a football point of view, we’ve identified the player and I would love the player to be with us.“I’m not going to shift the blame to somebody. It is not a blame culture here.”"

Silva’s former club have already announced the Portuguese international’s departure through various channels including the stock market.  Jorge Jesus, his manager at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, has also wished him the best of luck following his move, eliminating the possibility of the midfielder returning to the club where he made 232 appearances and scored 38 goals.

It is possible that the midfielder will not be able to play football again until the January transfer window opens. Shakey admitted that he felt sorry for Silva, having seen his transfer to the King Power Stadium possibly break down. He told:

"“My thoughts are with Silva. I would love him to be here with us. When I am told he is ours, we will welcome him with open arms.“It is a World Cup year for the player and he is in limbo. But he is a strong character and we are talking to him.”"

Silva, who has been capped by the Portugal national team on 20 occasions, was a target  as a result of Danny Drinkwater’s late switch to Chelsea. The Premier League champions snapped the Englishman for a reported £35 million, a Leicester City record.

For the time being, the Foxes only have the likes of Vicente Iborra, Andy King, Matthew James and Wilfred N’didi to call on in midfield.