Rafael Benitez is becoming increasingly frustrated at Newcastle’s lack of transfer business, reports Sport Witness, and the deal for Andreas Samaris appears to be approaching a stumbling block.
The news comes after The Magpies were reported to be ‘scared’, as stated in Portuguese newspaper A Bola, by the £20 million price of one of the Spaniard’s main transfer targets.
His interest lies with Benfica’s defensive midfielder Andreas Samaris, but his price has deterred Newcastle, much to Benitez’s disappointment.
Samaris is the second player to be strongly linked with Newcastle, with strong centre-back Ruben Semedo heavily linked with a move to the North-East before opting for a switch to La Liga outfit Villarreal.
Negotiations between the two sides will continue for Samaris, with the Portuguese club insisting that nothing is done.
The 28-year-old has made 30 appearances for Benfica this season, as he helped them win the Primeira Liga for an unprecedented 36th time.
Another target Newcastle have been linked with is Besiktas striker Vincent Aboubakar, with Benitez hoping a deal can be tied for the powerful Cameroon international.
