Leicester City target Benfica duo for summer move

Bengaluru, February 20: Leicester City are believed to be tracking Benfica duo Andre Almeida and Rafa Silva, according to reports in Portugal.

The pair were on the Foxes radar in January but the Premier League side decided not to follow up their interest.

The 27-year-old Almeida has attracted interest from several clubs, and the Foxes £5million valuation last month was way short of the £15million the Portuguese giants wanted for their right-back.

Leicester boss Claude Puel sent scouts to run the rule over Almeida and Silva who both starred in Benfica’s 4-0 win at home to Boavista on Saturday (February 17), claim Record and Ojogo in Lisbon.

The defender has risen through the ranks at the Stadium of Light with eight caps for Portugal and was part of the 2014 World Cup squad in Brazil.

However, it was thought that the Foxes' top right-back target in January was Marseille’s Bouna Sarr who is among the biggest talents in Europe right now.

Meanwhile, 24-year-old Silva has made 11 appearances this season but has struggled to make an impact since arriving from Braga 18 months ago.

Both Almeida and Silva are expected to be summer targets for Puel who added Fousseni Diabate in January from Ajaccio.

Leicester City progressed to the FA Cup quarter-finals after beating Sheffield United at the King Power last Friday (February 16).

The Foxes face Chelsea next month for a place in the semi-finals at Wembley.

Leicester City have enjoyed life under Claude Puel so far and the former Lyon manager will be eager to continue with the Foxes long-term.