Newcastle United Transfers: 8 Players Benitez Must Sign This Summer
7. Andreas Samaris
Newcastle lack a midfield destroyer. Isaac Hayden impressed last season, and seems to be developing at a steady pace, but he has never played in the Premier League. Throwing him straight into the XI might be asking too much of the 22-year-old, who'll get plenty of game time next season, but will likely be rotated in and out.
Jack Colback? Let's not go there.
Greek international Andreas Samaris has been continually linked with Newcastle throughout the window. Everton recently had a bid of £14 million turned down for the Benfica man, whose club are holding out for £17 million. This would mean breaking the record £16.8m that the Magpies paid for Michael Owen in 2006, but given how inflated transfer fees have become lately, this shouldn't make Samaris out of reach.
The Greek destroyer is defined by his aggression and tough tackling, but struggled to break into Benfica's XI last year. He made just 10 league starts throughout the campaign, and will almost certainly leave the club as a result. At 28 years old, and with multiple Champions League games to his name, Samaris brings plenty of experience to the table, and would be a complimentary presence alongside the cavalier Shelvey.