Claudio Ranieri hints at Adrien Silva move

Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri has branded Sporting Lisbon midfielder Adrien Silva "a great player" amid suggestions that the Foxes are interested in the Portugal international.

The Premier League champions were linked with a move for Silva in the latter stages of the summer transfer window, but Sporting held off the interest in the 27-year-old.

It is understood that Leicester will renew their interest in January and Ranieri has hinted that he wants to sign the Portuguese, who helped his nation win Euro 2016.

"We are following many players. Adrien Silva is a great player. Why not?" Ranieri told RTP.

Silva came through the youth system at Sporting and has made more than 150 first-team appearances for the Portuguese giants since 2007.