Newcastle United remain determined to find a buyer for Achraf Lazaar this month.

The Evening Chronicle says Lazaar has returned to Newcastle after his move to Serie A side Genoa broke down on transfer deadline day in Italy.

Genoa's reluctance to place a buyout clause into his loan deal resulted in Lazaar remaining on United's books and the left-sided player could now end up remaining with the club's reserves.

When asked for an update on Lazaar's position after he'd flown out to Italy, Toon boss Rafa Benitez said: “He has to come back. It is not done.

“So he has to return to Newcastle and train."

He added: “The transfer windows are still open elsewhere."