Sporting CP have thrown doubt on Adrien Silva's apparent proposed move to Leicester City after issuing a statement that revealed that the club has never received a concrete proposal for the player and thought he would end his career in Sporting colours.
Quotes attributed to Silva were published by Portuguese media outlet O Jogo on Monday morning in which the 27-year-old attacking midfielder spoke of the existence of an offer from Leicester and his desire to take up a new challenge after spending most of his life with Sporting.
However, the Lisbon club have now taken steps to clarify the situation from their perspective.
Sporting have stated that it was their belief that Silva's contract renewal in February of this year, which included "large sums of money", meant the player had committed his future to the club for the rest of his career, something "clearly expressed" to Silva and his representatives by Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho.
The Primeira Liga giants also highlighted an interview the club captain gave in May during which he said that he would not leave before a Portuguese title triumph - Sporting have not been crowned national champions since 2001/02.
Sporting have denied receiving any "concrete proposal" over the last few months, or indeed any communication from the player, his father or other representatives about any desire to leave.
The club have also reminded Silva, as a professional player under contract, of his duty to "respect" the club that has cared for him since the age of 12, as well as highlighting the potentially destabilising influence of agents in the modern game.
Silva's quotes in O Jogo had expressed a hope that nobody would hold it against him for wanting to leave Sporting to pursue a new challenge after spending such a long time 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," he said of the chance to join Leicester.
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