Is desperation getting the better of Newcastle United in Andreas Samaris and Lisandro Lopez pursuit?

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Benfica stalwarts Andreas Samaris and Lisandro Lopez have been tipped to join Newcastle United.

It’s understandable that, after a frustrating start to the transfer window, Newcastle United would be desperate to get a few new faces through the door.

So far, Christian Atsu is the only player to put pen to paper on a permanent move to Newcastle United this summer after impressing on loan from Chelsea last season.

Yet, Portuguese publication O Jogo report that Newcastle could finally kick-start their summer with a double deal worth £26.6 million for Benfica duo Andreas Samaris and Lisandro Lopez.

Andreas Samaris

Greek international midfielder Samaris has been linked with Newcastle for a number of weeks and the report adds that they will have to up their initial offer of £13 million to convince the Primera Liga champions into a sale.

Overly expensive?

They value the 28-year-old at £17.3 million. Yet, if The Magpies stump up the required fee, they would not only be enhancing their midfield but also rubbing salt in Sunderland’s wounds.

According to The Sun, the now-relegated Black Cats were desperate to sign him in January.

And that would leave Newcastle paying around £10 million to sign Benfica team-mate Lisandro. A towering, 27-year-old centre-half, the four-time Argentina international appears to be the experienced defender Magpies manager Rafael Benitez is looking for.

However, while Newcastle supporters will undoubtedly be thrilled at the prospect of signing two players from a regular Champions League club, their respective lack of game-time in 2016/17 maybe ring a few alarm bells.

Benfica’s Lisandro Lopez has won three successive league titles

Samaris started just ten games in the Portuguese top flight last season after being replaced in Rui Vitoria’s starting XI by Lubomir Fejsa. Lisandro, meanwhile, was included on the team-sheet just six times with new Manchester United signing Victor Lindelof forming an impressive partnership with the long-serving Luisao.

Benfica, like rivals Porto and Sporting, are renowned for driving a hard bargain in the transfer market and it appears they have got an excellent deal flogging two squad players for just shy of £30 million.