Andreas can come in handy for Rafa
NEWCASTLE are ready to launch a January swoop for Benfica midfielder Andreas Samaris.
Toon chief Rafa Benitez enquired about the Greece international in the summer but was put off by the £10m price tag.
But Samaris, 29, is out of contract at the end of the season and is desperate to seal a free transfer when the window reopens next month.
Even if Benfica don’t grant his wish, he will cost significantly less now than five months ago, with the star unlikely to sign a new deal.
Samaris, who has 33 caps, joined Benfica from Olympiakos four years ago and has helped the club win three Portuguese titles.
Despite being a firm favourite there, the holding midfielder has set his heart on a move to the Premier League.
Fellow strugglers Southampton are also keen but Newcastle are in the driving seat to land him.
Benitez’s No.1 transfer target remains Miguel Almiron of MLS champs Atlanta.
The Paraguayan’s father has said on social media that his son wants to join Newcastle but Benitez ®Êby IAN MURTAGH
does not yet know whether the club will sanction a £15m move for him. Meanwhile, Florian Lejeune has reported no ill-effects following his comeback match for Newcastle Under-23s on Monday night.
It was feared the centre-half would be ruled out for the entire campaign when he picked up a serious knee injury in July.
But Lejeune, 27, was back in action less than five months after surgery and is expected to be pushing for a first-team recall early next year. Benitez was among the 200-odd spectators who saw the Frenchman play 45 minutes against Norwich’s second string.
Once he’s back in the fold, Lejeune’s availability will present his manager with a selection headache in defence, with five frontline centre-halves to choose from. The ex-Deportivo La Coruna star will be competing for a place with club captain Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and summer signings Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar.