Russian dancer helped scupper Newcastle failed deadline approach for Ze Luis

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Newcastle United tried to sign Spartak Moscow’s Ze Luis.

Newcastle United failed with a deadline day approach for Spartak Moscow striker Ze Luis – and there are two very different reasons.

Russian outlet Championat report Newcastle tried to sign the Cape Verde forward, but were put off by a potential obligation to buy clause.

The terms would have seen Ze Luis sign on loan, and Newcastle obliged to buy at £17.5 million in the summer, and Newcastle backed off.

But there was another reason the move fell apart too, Championat report, because Ze Luis is reluctant to leave Moscow because he is ‘in love’ with a Russian dancer.

This picture of the loved up pair was taken just a fortnight ago.

Brighton were also interested in Ze Luis earlier in the transfer window but the striker is happy at Spartak.

He signed for the Russian side in 2015 from Braga and has scored four goals in 14 games this past season.

Perhaps with more notice, he would be prepared to make the move to England in the summer, but £17.5 million is a lot of money for Newcastle to commit to for a striker with a modest goalscoring record.

He has not hit double figures in any of his three seasons at Spartak and Newcastle’s loan for Islam Slimani with no obligation to buy is the better deal.