Saturday 26 January 2019 08:15, UK
Jordan Lukaku's proposed loan move to Newcastle has collapsed, the Premier League club have confirmed.
The 24-year-old, brother of Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku, was expected to join on loan from Lazio until the end of the season after undergoing a medical on Tyneside on Friday.
However, Newcastle have confirmed the move will no longer take place and Lukaku will now return to Italy.
Sky sources understand the deal has collapsed on medical grounds and is not related to finances.
A statement released by the Premier League club read: "Newcastle United can confirm that Jordan Lukaku will not be joining the club.
"The Belgian defender was on Tyneside on Friday after being given permission to travel by his current club, SS Lazio.
"It has now been decided that a loan deal will not be pursued and the player will return to Rome. We wish Jordan all the best for the future."
Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez refused to talk about Lukaku on Friday at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie against Watford.
"You know I will not talk about transfer windows," he said. "I will not talk about any players, because we have who we have.
"Lee (Marshall), director of communications, has given me a lot of names that are in the media, but I will not talk about anyone.
"January is a difficult window. The top sides are normally in the Champions League or Europa League, and it is difficult to find players."
