Andreas Samaris’ lack of game time at Benfica is really something that should encourage Sunderland to go after him.
Having made his last league appearance on January 22, the player is clearly not very important for the Eagles at the moment. He also had to watch his side’s win over Borussia Dortmund for the Champions league this week without coming off the bench.
So why are Benfica renewing his contract unil 2021, as reported by A Bola last week? To have more power in a transfer negotiation, of course.
The €45m release clause wouldn’t be altered, but the Eagles can at least ensure they won’t let the player leave for a low price in the summer.
Rumours from the winter market said the club wanted at least €20m for the transfer, but as Sunderland tried to negotiate too much, even trying a loan transfer, the deal ended up collapsing.
Considering that, apart from Middlesbrough last summer, there hasn’t been much competition for the player, it’s safe to say the Black Cats have a clear run to bid for him in the next few months.
If Sunderland manage to keep themselves in the Premier League next season, things should be a lot easier: more time to negotiate, more money to spend and maybe a player ready to leave the Benfica.
