Andreas Samaris

[Optimistic Nut]

We were close to signing him 18 months ago so he’s obviously someone we like the look of.

[Sho Time]

Not that I know anything about the circumstances but the fact that a club in the Portugese league (no matter how good Benfica are) can't even be arsed to offer him a new contract when there's concrete interest in him - doesn't really sound promising.

[TRon]

We were close to signing him 18 months ago so he’s obviously someone we like the look of.

 

I know we are interested, but Rafa would care less about the contract situation, whereas the hierarchy definitely see it as a big recruitment factor. Just wondering if it's Rafa led or not.

[Guest chopey]

I think Longstaff's form put the blockers on this move

[Sean]

We were close to signing him 18 months ago so he’s obviously someone we like the look of.

 

I know we are interested, but Rafa would care less about the contract situation, whereas the hierarchy definitely see it as a big recruitment factor. Just wondering if it's Rafa led or not.

 

Same thoughts here, although the fact that we would seem to have been interested for a while, but not bothered to actually make a deal happen, would lead one to believe that Rafa may want the player, and Ashley has been pissing around for a laugh as per 

[TRon]

We were close to signing him 18 months ago so he’s obviously someone we like the look of.

 

I know we are interested, but Rafa would care less about the contract situation, whereas the hierarchy definitely see it as a big recruitment factor. Just wondering if it's Rafa led or not.

 

Same thoughts here, although the fact that we would seem to have been interested for a while, but not bothered to actually make a deal happen, would lead one to believe that Rafa may want the player, and Ashley has been pissing around for a laugh as per 

 

That does sound quite a familiar story, but when we signed Sissoko Ashley was supposedly furious we had to pay a fee instead of hanging on until the summer because we were in danger of getting relegated. Could quite feasibly be either really.

[LoveItIfWeBeatU]

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/report-reveals-reasons-andreas-samaris-15845625

 

Report reveals reasons Andreas Samaris move collapsed, and tips Newcastle for fresh summer move

Report in Portuguese media says Andreas Samaris will be allowed to leave, and claims Newcastle will make fresh move

 

By Mark Douglas

08:50, 18 FEB 2019

 

Reports in Portugal say that Newcastle United’s January target Andreas Samaris will not have his contract renewed and will be a free agent in the summer – with the Magpies tipped to make a fresh move.

 

Record - in a piece reported by Sport Witness - claims that Samaris will be allowed to leave in the close season with Benfica looking to move towards younger players next season, and expects Newcastle to return with another offer, stating that it's "inevitable".

 

But the piece also carries details on why Newcastle’s move in January failed – citing a heavily-incentivised contract offer that the player did not fancy taking them up on.

 

With his contract up at the end of the year, United tabled a “complicated” six-month deal that contained clauses that would have made the deal a longer one if he’d played enough games. But Samaris, who has just returned from injury, did not like the terms and although he was keen on moving to England he opted to remain at Benfica to fight for his place there.

 

The offer – if indeed Record has its information correct – probably reflects some of the uncertainty surrounding Benitez’s future. The Newcastle boss wanted Samaris to cover for Isaac Hayden, who he would have allowed to join Aston Villa if he’d been able to land the Greece international – who is a target from previous transfer windows.

 

But the Samaris move broke down, and many fans will be relieved about that as Hayden and youngster Sean Longstaff continue to impress in the midfield engine room.

 

Although Benitez, if he stays, would want to add competition in midfield he’s keen to retain Mo Diame – who has a clause in his contract guaranteeing him a new deal if he plays a certain number of games – and Longstaff’s emergence makes him a real prospect from the coming years.

 

Hayden is likely to be allowed to leave in the summer as the club grant his wish to let him move closer to his family. And although Record claim Newcastle will be back in for him, from a North East perspective that feels unlikely at this stage.