Newcastle have reportedly submitted an offer for Samaris.
Portuguese outlet A Bola claim Newcastle United could miss out on Benfica midfielder Andreas Samaris, with Benfica’s rivals FC Porto looking to sign the Greek star.
The report claims Newcastle have made a nominal offer of just £430,000 for Samaris, with the 29-year-old out of favour at Benfica and set to leave the club at the end of the season on a free transfer.
The 33-time Greece international has managed just seven appearances in all competitions for Benfica this season, and is seemingly surplus to requirements. Rafa Benitez has been a long-term admirer of the ex-Olympiakos midfielder.
But Newcastle may miss out on Samaris, after it became clear that Porto are interested in signing Samaris. Remaining in Portugal is said to be quite a key factor for the midfielder.
That is because his wife is pregnant and he is already very settled in the country. Leaving Portugal for England would force the midfielder’s family to have to relocate, just over four years after leaving Greece for Portugal.
Newcastle desperately need additions, but they decided against signing Jordan Lukaku from Lazio due to concerns over niggling knee injuries. The club are said to want a left-back, winger, midfielder and a no.10.
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