Newcastle United have been forced to shelve plans for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.

The Daily Star says the Toon were ready to match Lyon's £18m price tag and believed this month's spending spree would persuade Lacazette, 24, to head to St James' Park despite the Magpies' lowly league position.

But talks over the past 72 hours ended in Newcastle conceding defeat in their bid to sign one of Europe's hottest properties.

Lacazette does not want to quit mid-season and will wait until the summer before deciding his future.