Friday 8 September 2017 11:53, UK
Sporting Lisbon insist the deal agreed with Leicester City for Adrien Silva is binding, despite FIFA withholding his registration.
Sky Sports News reported on Wednesday that Leicester's bid to sign Silva on Deadline Day was in question after the documentation arrived with the Football Association 14 seconds late past the 23:00 deadline.
The Foxes reportedly agreed a £22m move with Sporting Lisbon for Silva as replacement for midfielder Danny Drinkwater who joined Chelsea for £35m.
However, the Portuguese side claim the binding agreement with Leicester is worth £27m, with an initial £18.3m now due to be paid.
"In view of the recent news, it is further informed and clarified that the definitive transfer of the sports and economic rights of the professional football player Adrien Silva to Leicester FC is concluded," Sporting Lisbon said in an official statement.
"Finally, it should also be clarified that the delay of the player's registration in favour of Leicester FC will have no impact on the financial conditions described above, except for a delay in time of receipts resulting from the variable amount associated with the player's performance."
Leicester officials are confident the papers were sent before the midnight deadline - a one-hour extension having been granted by FIFA for the international transfer.
But the Transfer Matching System (TMS) - which links clubs with the FA, other governing bodies and FIFA, shows the documents were late in arriving.
FIFA said on Wednesday: "We can confirm that FIFA has been contacted by The Football Association in connection with the registration of the player Adrien Silva and the club Leicester City. FIFA has replied accordingly providing reference to applicable regulations."
The FA is now working with Leicester to try to resolve the situation, attempting to persuade FIFA that the deal should be allowed to stand.
