Newcastle are on the verge of securing a deal for Benfica midfielder Andreas Samaris in a record-breaking deal, according to the Mirror.
The newspaper claims that the Magpies’ boss Rafael Benitez has been working towards a deal for the 28-year-old for the past six weeks, in a move which will cost the North East side a reported £17.5million.
That fee would see Newcastle break their current transfer record, which came when they secured a £16million move for England and then-Real Madrid striker Michael Owen back in 2005.
A defensive midfielder, Samaris joined the Portuguese giants back in 2014 from Greek side Olympiakos for £8.5million, and has gone on to establish himself as an important player in the Benfica squad.
In his three seasons at the club, the 28-time-capped Greek international has made 110 appearances across all competitions, as he helped his side pick up three successive Portuguese league titles.
Not known for his threat on goal, he has scored just two goals and contributed five assists for his club, while the only goal he has scored for his country came in a 2-1 win over the Ivory Coast at the 2014 World Cup.
Were he to complete a move to the Magpies, he would face a fight for a place in the starting XI with fellow defensive midfielders Isaac Hayden and Jack Colback, while Jonjo Shelvey and Mohamed Diame would also be looking for a first team role in the centre of the park.