Leicester are closing in on a deal for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Adrien Silva - and that could free Danny Drinkwater to join Chelsea .

Silva, 28, is rated at £22m by Sporting who need to sell players to balance the books and Leicester are hopeful.

That will enable Drinkwater to go to Chelsea if they can agree a fee with the clubs still some distance apart.

Drinkwater has asked for a move and is desperate to go to Stamford Bridge.

However, the clubs have so far been unable to agree a fee for the 27-year-old.

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