Newcastle United fans will remember how close they were said to be to signing Andreas Samaris from Benfica last month.
The local Portuguese press said there was an agreement with the player, and the Eagles were ready to be convinced and accept a bid. Newcastle had reportedly made an initial €15m offer, and Benifca wanted bonuses on top of that.
But there’s been a strange silence surrounding this rumour since then, and today, Portuguese newspaper Record turns up saying the player is now very likely to stay in Portugal.
It’s claimed that despite the bids from England, the €20m wanted by Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira were never offered. So although anything can happen until the end of the transfer window, it’s more likely he’s not leaving.
An agreement for a new contract shouldn’t be difficult because there’s a will to renew ‘from both parties’.
As Samaris’ deal expires in 2019, Benfica don’t want to leave the negotiations for the next summer, when it will be one year from leaving for free, something that usually makes players cheaper.
Portuguese clubs normally raise the prices and release clauses when they give players a new contract.
So if Newcastle still want Samaris, they better get him now.
