After being linked to several Premier League clubs in the summer window, it’s time for Andreas Samaris to have a new pretender. This time, with more serious claims.
According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo today, it’s Swansea City who have now been after the Benfica midfielder, and even made a late bid in the January market.
The outlet claims Carlos Carvalhal’s side wanted to pay €1.5m for a loan deal, plus €10m in a buying option at the end of the season.
There were two reasons why the Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira rejected it. First because the amount didn’t impress, and second because the Eagles have offloaded too many players this winter and didn’t sign anyone, so only a very convincing bid would do the job.
To prove the bids were real, O Jogo included a short quote from intermediary César Boaventura, who’s done some recent jobs with the Eagles: “I confirm these offers, but Benfica rejected them.”
The situation is a little strange because on deadline day, the Spanish press claimed Samaris had been offered to Real Betis on a loan deal, and the La Liga club rejected the opportunity.
So how could Swansea City still have their offer rejected? Maybe because his agent and his club didn’t exactly have the same plans.
