FIFA has confirmed it has been asked by the Football Association to rubber stamp Adrien Silva's £22million transfer to Leicester.
The midfielder has been in limbo after the Foxes missed the transfer deadline by 14 seconds when trying to sign him from Sporting Lisbon last month.
It meant FIFA withheld the International Transfer Certificate for the Portugal international and since then Leicester have been preparing an appeal.
A FIFA spokesman confirmed to Press Association Sport: "The Football Association has requested a formal decision of the single judge of the Players Status Committee be authorised to request the International Transfer Certificate for the player Adrien Silva outside the registration period and register him with Leicester City.
"The matter is currently pending and therefore we are not in a position to comment further."
The single judge usually makes a decision within 30 days following the receipt of a valid request meaning Silva's saga could have a resolution by the end of next month.
Without the ITC, Silva will not be registered as a City player until the next transfer window opens in January.
The 28-year-old is currently not allowed to train with the Foxes, although has been working with the fitness coaches at their Belvoir Drive training ground.
Source: PA
