NEWCASTLE UNITED are “set to make a £20million swoop” for Benfica star Lisandro Lopez.
According to reports in Portugal, Rafa Benitez is readying a move for the defender.
O Jogo are claiming that the newly-promoted Premier League side have identified the 27-year-old as the ideal man to help shore up their defence.
The Argentine has been capped four times by his country but has become surplus to requirements with the Portuguese giants.
Lopez joined Benfica back in 2013 on a five-year deal from Arsenal de Sarandi in his homeland.
However, he has only played 28 league matches for the Eagles since.
Spanish side Getafe secured him on a season-long loan last summer and Lopez took his opportunity to impress.
He featured 27 times for the La Liga outfit and bagged himself three goals.
Lopez has now returned to Portugal but, despite his performances last season, Benfica are willing to sell this summer.
He still has four years left on his contract, hence the hefty fee, but Benitez appears to have seen enough to convince him to snap-up the star.
And he is not the only Benfica man interesting Newcastle chiefs.
They are also targeting a move for defensive midfielder Andreas Samaris.