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Southampton: Saints linked with Benfica’s Andreas Samaris

By Chris Hughes

ZAGREB, CROATIA - NOVEMBER 09: Andreas Samaris (L) of Greece is challenged by Ivan Perisic (R) of Croatia during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Play-Off: First Leg between Croatia and Greece at Stadion Maksimir on November 9, 2017 in Zagreb, Croatia (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
ZAGREB, CROATIA - NOVEMBER 09: Andreas Samaris (L) of Greece is challenged by Ivan Perisic (R) of Croatia during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier Play-Off: First Leg between Croatia and Greece at Stadion Maksimir on November 9, 2017 in Zagreb, Croatia (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images) /
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With summer fast approaching, Southampton have been linked with a new defensive-midfielder in Benfica’s Andreas Samaris.

The report – published in Portuguese tabloid A Bola – doesn’t take into account that the Saints are currently fighting for their Premier League survival and may be a Championship side next year.

This has sadly become even more of a realistic possibility following Southampton’s 3-0 drubbing at the hand of West Ham this past weekend.

Southampton arguably already a plethora of Premier League-quality midfielders among their ranks but with Steven Davis struggling for consistent form and Oriol Romeu seemingly out of the first team picture, the door remains open.

Samaris is a fully-fledged Greek international who is also part of the first team with a Benfica side who won three consecutive titles between 2014 and 2017.

Next: Hughes hints at Austin appearance against West Ham

FORTALEZA, BRAZIL – JUNE 24: Andreas Samaris of Greece celebrates scoring his team’s first goal past goalkeeper Boubacar Barry of the Ivory Coast during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group C match between Greece and the Ivory Coast at Castelao on June 24, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
FORTALEZA, BRAZIL – JUNE 24: Andreas Samaris of Greece celebrates scoring his team’s first goal past goalkeeper Boubacar Barry of the Ivory Coast during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group C match between Greece and the Ivory Coast at Castelao on June 24, 2014 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /

The midfielder stands at six-foot-two and has a good passing range in his locker too, meaning he fits the bill for the Saints with what they normally look for in a defensive-mid. What remains unclear at this point is whether this deal would still be possible if Mark Hughes’ side are relegated to the second tier.

Samaris will be hoping to make his nations final squad for this summer’s World Cup and wouldn’t want to jeopardize his position with Greece in future squads by playing in the Championship.

At 28 the Benfica man is in the prime of career and would almost certainly see a move to the Saints as a step down – even if they stay in the Premier League.

The Portuguese outfit are currently top of the league narrowly ahead of Porto who have played a game less and currently have 70 points. As a result, Samaris will almost certainly be playing Champions League football next season and that could hinder any possible move to Southampton.

At this point it seems more like just rumours than anything solid, and we’re sure the club would rather focus on Premier League survival.

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