Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez is reportedly juggling his funds in an attempt to finance the £17.5m capture of Andreas Samaris from Benfica.
The Greece international is already understood to have been the subject of a failed approach from Everton, who fell short with their £14m offer earlier this week.
Newcastle have also shown an interest in the 28-year-old and could make a bid of their own, with The Mirror reporting that talks have already been held with Benfica to discuss a deal.
It is claimed that Benitez is trying to free up funds in order to meet the defensive midfielder's valuation, having previously invested heavily to get the Magpies out of the Championship last season.
Samaris, who has two years left to run on his current deal, featured 30 times for the Eagles last season.
