Benfica have offered a new contract to midfielder Andreas Samaris amid talks with Newcastle United over a loan switch, according to Desporto ao Minuto.
The Portuguese news outlet report that the Greece international is now mulling over offers from both clubs as Benfica attempt to prevent his exit in a blow for the Magpies.
Desporto ao Minuto claim that Newcastle’s offer is more financially lucrative for the 29-year-old, but the midfielder is actually keen on remaining in Portugal after being handed more minutes in recent weeks.
OPINION
Well, this is a spanner in the works for the Magpies. It had looked, by all accounts, that Newcastle were closing in on a loan deal for Samaris. The Greece international has hardly played for Benfica this season and the Portuguese club were not thought to be an issue for the Magpies. However, an injury to Ljubomir Fejsa has opened the door for Samaris to win more minutes, and that development looks to have turned his head. Newcastle are still in with a shout, with their proposal clearly the better option for Samaris financially, but the 29-year-old seems keen to stay on in Lisbon. That is a bit of a surprise considering how little first-team football he has played this season (eight appearances in all competitions) but the enforcer may be settled in Lisbon with his family and be averse to a move at the moment. Newcastle will be hoping that isn’t the case, but with just a day left in the window, things will now have to move fast for them to win this race.
