Leicester's double swoop for Sporting duo Adrien Silva and Islam Slimani in jeopardy

Silva, who started every match for Portugal during their successful Euro 2016 campaign from the knock-out stages onwards, spoke of Leicester's interest in an interview with the Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.

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. 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."

However, Sporting have responded with a statement on their official website, saying they expect Silva to honour the new contract he signed this year and finish his career at the club.

"The player renewed his contract in February 2016 in a deal involving significant sums of money, making it absolutely clear that the extension to his contract would mean that Adrien Silva would say at the club until the end of his career," the statement read.

"Never during recent months has anything been said to the president or has any proposal been made for the transfer of Adrien Silva and the president has not met with the player's father or representatives for that purpose.

"Sporting and its president will always defend the interests of the club and will also defend the club's assets."

Meanwhile, Sky Sports reported that Sporting have turned down a £25m bid for Slimani, with The Telegraph claiming the Portuguese want £35m for the striker.