RAFA BENITEZ has insisted he will not talk about transfers despite news of Lazio’s Jordan Lukaku arriving for a medical at Newcastle United.

The Magpies boss, who revealed details about his meeting with Mike Ashley at the start of the week, has also played down talk that Jacob Murphy is on the verge of a switch to West Brom.

Benitez, whose side face Watford in the FA Cup tomorrow when he will make changes, said: "I will not talk about transfers. Any name or any player.

"I am getting a lot of names from Lee (Marshall) the director of communications but I will not talk about anyone.

"January is a difficult window. The top sides are in the Champions League or Europa League and it is difficult."

The Northern Echo:

As well as signing Lukaku, Benitez also wants a forward and a winger to boost his attacking options. They remain interested in Atlanta United’s Miguel Almiron but are comfortably apart in both wage demands and a transfer fee.

Asked about Murphy's possible departure, Benitez added: "At the moment if we don't bring in anybody it will be difficult for anybody to leave. It is not the case with Jacob at the moment."

Benitez met with Ashley after the 3-0 win over Cardiff last weekend.

"What we were talking about was private, normal things," said Benitez. "It doesn't change anything about where we are at the moment. We keep working.

"He was happy that the team had won. I think he was quite happy, congratulating me and the team. We were talking about business."

Jonjo Shelvey, Paul Dummett, Ki Sung-Yeung and Mo Diame will not be involved against Watford. Benitez did insist that he intends to play a stronger team than that he fielded against Blackburn in the third round.