Newcastle boss Keegan misses out again as Argentina's Aimar joins Benfica
Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan has missed out on another of his summer transfer targets after Argentina midfielder Pablo Aimar today signed for Benfica.
The 28-year-old had been strongly linked with a move to St James' Park after announcing his intention to leave Spanish side Real Zaragoza following their relegation from the Primera Liga last season.
Aiming too high: Newcastle have lost out to Benfica in the race to sign Argentine star Pablo Aimar.
However, despite reports suggesting that he was due to fly to England for a medical yesterday, the former Valencia and River Plate star eventually headed to Portugal and agreed a four-year deal with the Lisbon club, who paid £6.5million for his services.
The news is another blow for Keegan, who has already been knocked back in his attempts to sign the likes of Croatian star Luka Modric and Paris St Germain defender Didier Digard, who have joined Tottenham and Middlesbrough respectively.
The Newcastle boss is also likely to face fierce competition in his latest bid to prise defenders Pascal Chimbonda from Tottenham and Anton Ferdinand from West Ham.
