Leicester transfer news: Adrien Silva deal nears as Foxes agree staggering £38.5million fee for Sporting Lisbon skipper
Foxes have been hot on the heels of the 27-year-old this summer as they look to strengthen depleted midfield
LEICESTER have agreed a £38.5million fee for Sporting Lisbon captain Adrien Silva, according to reports.
The agreement comes just hours after agreeing a £30m fee for Sporting striker Islam Slimani for £30m.
The Premier League champions have been hot on the heels of Silva, 27, this summer as they look to bolster their depleted midfield.
reports a deal is close to being finished now that Leicester have met the release clause for the Portugal ace.
The Portuguese giants have been playing hardball with the Foxes and managed to squeeze out a combined total of £68.5m for both stars.
Earlier this week Silva and Sporting released conflicting statements over his future.
He said: "Yes, I confirm this proposal. Leicester is very interesting and corresponds to my career goals.
"After the past 15 years at Sporting, this opportunity is something exceptional for me and can allow me to express and impose myself in another championship, and also to evolve in the Premier League, which is a stunning league.
"I love Sporting as a family and I dedicated myself to the club since I was 12 years old.
"With Sporting I lived many moments of happiness. I can say that I grew up with the club. At 27 years old, and after so many years of loyalty, I think that no one will criticise me for wanting to embrace this challenge."
Sporting later released a statement which read: "It was absolutely clear that this extension of the attachment [a contract extension signed in February] to Sporting CP meant Adrien Silva would be at the club until the end of his career.
“This has been said and clearly expressed by the club’s president to the player, the father of the athlete and their representatives before consummating the renewal of the contract.”
Silva was an integral part of the triumphant Portugal side that won the Euros.
He has made over 114 appearances for Sporting since signing in August 2012.