Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez closing in on an £18million swoop for Benfica midfielder Andreas Samaris
Greek playmaker has won three successive league titles in Portugal and will add experience in midfield
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RAFA BENITEZ is close to agreeing an £18million deal with Benfica for Andreas Samaris, according to reports.
The Greek midfielder, 28, has won three successive league titles in Portugal and will add valuable experience.
Toon boss Benitez has signed Christian Atsu, Florian Lejeune, Javier Manquillo and Jacob Murphy this summer.
And Greek outlets are claiming Samaris is close to joining them as Newcastle improved on their £13m offer which was rejected.
The 28-cap international played 32 times for the Primeira Liga champions last season.
But Eagles chiefs are prepared to accept Toon's bid as they look to reshape their squad.
Newcastle are also working on a move for Napoli midfielder Allan, as exclusively revealed by The Sun.
But they must beat Premier League rivals Southampton and West Brom for the £10m-rated midfielder.
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Allan, 26, has been a regular with the Italian giants for two seasons after arriving from Udinese – but they are willing to cash in for the right price.
Benitez reckons the ex-Vasco da Gama man can adapt immediately to English football after proving himself in Serie A.
Allan played for Brazil Under-20s alongside Philippe Coutinho, Alex Sandro, Oscar, Casemiro and Danilo when they won the World Cup in Colombia.
Hull's Sam Clucas and young Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo are also on Newcastle's radar.
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