Newcastle United have been tipped to make a move for Benfica midfielder Andreas Samaris but Everton have acted quicker.
Newcastle United fans could hardly help themselves feeling a little smug when reports emerged that they were edging near to a deal for Andreas Samaris, a Greek international who Record claim rejected the chance to join relegation threatened Sunderland in January.
The same publication reported that North East rivals Newcastle were interested in Samaris, who Benfica were willing to sell this summer for the right price.
However, it appears that they too may be about to find out how it feels to have a target stolen away from them. According to A Bola, Premier League rivals Everton are aiming to muscle in on Newcastle’s deal for the defensive midfielder.
Andreas Samaris is now on Everton’s radar
The report claims that the Toffees, managed by former Benfica boss Ronald Koeman, have made an opening offer of around £12.5 million, which has been rejected by president Luis Filipe Vieira.
However, it is understood that Everton remain interested in Samaris, who has won the Primera Liga title in each of his three seasons in Portugal since moving from Olympiakos in 2014.
Furthermore, with O Jogo claiming that Newcastle need to sell players to make room for Samaris in their midfield, Everton appear to have an advantage.
The two clubs could hardly be in different positions at this stage of the transfer window. Newcastle supporters, not to mention manager Rafael Benitez, have been left disillusioned by the lack of incomings though Eibar defender Florian Lejeune finally completed his protracted move on Tuesday.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez could miss out on another target
Everton, meanwhile, have acted swiftly and decisively, spending just shy of £100 million on five new players, Davy Klaassen, Jordan Pickford, Henry Onyekuru, Sandro Ramirez and Michael Keane, per The Telegraph.
And they could take their total spending into nine figures by beating Newcastle to Samaris.
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