Portuguese daily newspaper Record has suggested that Sunderland made a last-minute attempt to recruit Benfica midfielder Andreas Samaris.
The Black Cats have been keeping tabs on the Greece international for quite some time and they reportedly submitted a €20 million proposal on transfer deadline day.
But, while Benfica chiefs found the offer attractive, they eventually decided to turn it down, making sure the 27-year-old remained at Estadio da Luz.
Andreas Samaris has also been mentioned as a possible replacement for Axel Witsel at Zenit, and he clearly remains held in high regard by top sides despite struggling for playing time this season.
After impressing in first two years at Estadio da Luz, the Greece international only started three league fixtures this season, so it is quite surprising that the Eagles refused to sell him in the January transfer window.
Samaris had represented Panionios and Olympiakos in his native country before joining Benfica.
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