Adrien Silva: Leicester City submit appeal to FIFA to complete £25 million signing

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Adrien Silva of Portugal and Jonathan Dos Santos of Mexico battle for possession during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Play-Off for Third Place between Portugal and Mexico at Spartak Stadium on July 2, 2017 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 02: Adrien Silva of Portugal and Jonathan Dos Santos of Mexico battle for possession during the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 Play-Off for Third Place between Portugal and Mexico at Spartak Stadium on July 2, 2017 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City have submitted an appeal to FIFA over Adrien Silva’s blocked transfer to complete the Portuguese’s £25 million signing.

Although a Leicester player, Silva can’t feature for the side following a blunder on the Foxes’ part as they missed the official deadline for the documentation by 14 seconds. The club’s lawyers have since been working to try and get a decision in their favour.

According to the sources monitoring the move closely, Leicester City may end up winning the fight, though it may not necessarily mean that Adrien Silva can play for his new side until January.

Speaking of the saga, manager Craig Shakespeare said:

"“There is a legal process going on where Fifa will decide what is happening with him, the quicker it is sorted the better.“We’d love to have more answers but unfortunately we have to wait. Obviously I want to make him feel welcome because he’s a player we identified a long time ago.“He is frustrated because this is World Cup year but he understands what the legal side of it is as well.”"

A UEFA Euro 2016 winner with Portugal, Adrien Silva was signed as a replacement for Danny Drinkwater. The now Chelsea player was sold to the the reigning champions in a record move, £30 million to be particular, leaving behind a huge gap in Craig Shakespeare’s side.

Silva had for long been targeted by the East Midland outfit, though they waited till the very last day to make a move for him despite being fully aware that Drinkwater had his eyes set on a transfer to Stamford Bridge. They are paying a heavy price for that now.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Danny Drinkwater of Chelsea warms up prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 09: Danny Drinkwater of Chelsea warms up prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /

If Leicester City somehow end up getting a green signal from FIFA on all fronts, it’d be an absolute blessing for them, with their midfield struggles being as they are. Shakespeare is currently playing Matty James and Wilfred Ndidi in the middle of the park; however, only the latter has been able to show encouraging signs.

Vicente Iborra nearing full fitness as well, Silva’s availability could be just what Leicester City need.