Newcastle United made an attempt for Benfica midfielder Andreas Samaris last month, it has been revealed.

O Jogo says the Greek midfielder is out of contract in the summer and Newcastle offered £300,000 to take him on loan until the summer. The agreement included a clause that said Benfica would get a percentage of any fee they received for him on a future sale.

Newcastle were to sign him permanently in the summer on a two-year deal.

Benfica rejected this and, it seems, Newcastle have decided to wait and see how the situation develops between now and the summer.