Newcastle clinch loan deal for defender – report

Sky Italy reporter Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that the Lazio defender is on his way to St James's Park for the second half of the season.

And the Gazette understands that the club has been in talks with Lukaku's representatives and his club in recent days over a loan move and that a deal is close.

United manager Rafa Benitez, keen to sign a No 10, a winger and a left-back, has been waiting on a transfer breakthrough.

With owner Mike Ashley reluctant to sanction any big-money deals – and the club unable to sign any more players on domestic loans – the focus had turned towards overseas loans.

Lukaku, brother of Manchester United striker Romelu, joined Lazio from Oostende in the summer of 2016.

It is claimed that the proposed loan has an option for United to buy the Belgium international at the end of the season.

Benitez has been looking for a place to compete with Paul Dummett for a place in his team.