Lyon's statement has not deterred Newcastle United in their bid to sign Bruno Guimarães.
Elsewhere, Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick admits Jesse Lingard is set to leave the club in this window.
Here are your Newcastle United headlines for January 26.
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Guimaraes latest
Newcastle United still hope to push through their purchase of Bruno Guimarães - despite Lyon's decision to release a statement after news broke of the Magpies' £33.5million bid.
The midfielder is scheduled to have a medical on Friday in South America after Brazil's clash with Ecuador.
And after conflicting details of the 24-year-old's price tag emerged on Wednesday, French football experts have pointed to Lyon's usual policy in situations like this.
Guimaraes scout report
As the January transfer window approaches its closure, Newcastle United look set to be one of the busiest clubs in the Premier League before the end of the month.
The Magpies are linked with a number of players from Jesse Lingard to Diego Carlos to Dele Alli to Nat Phillips, with Bruno Guimaraes rumoured to be the latest on the club's shortlist.
Guimaraes is quite the talent, and he's been tipped for moves to Arsenal and Chelsea in the past, with the Toon reportedly willing to pay around £35m for his services.
The Lyon midfielder is a very active contributor in Ligue 1. Still just 24 years-old, he's well-rounded and offers specific qualities when in possession of the ball.
Szalai offer
Newcastle United have again been offered Hungary international centre-back Attila Szalai after Sevilla continue to play hardball on Diego Carlos.
Szalai is playing in Turkey with Fenerbahce but the 24-year-old's agency ROGON have solid links with Newcastle's head of recruitment, Steve Nickson.
Most notably, it was ROGON and Nickson who oversaw Newcastle's £40million deal for Joelinton.
Rangnick on Lingard
Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has revealed that Jesse Lingard will leave the club amid reported transfer interest from Newcastle United this month.
The 29-year-old has under six months left on his contract but could be available to leave the Red Devils in the current transfer window as he searches for regular first-team football.
A number of Premier League clubs are supposedly keen to sign Lingard, including West Ham United and the Magpies, who are hopeful to complete a deal between now and deadline day.
Jordan revisits gaffe
Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan has poked fun at his Newcastle United takeover gaffe after being asked about the transfer links to Diego Carlos.
The talkSPORT presenter has regularly angered the Magpies fanbase in recent seasons with his defences of former head coach Steve Bruce and his views on the club's takeover saga.
Jordan labelled the attempt by the Saudi-backed consortium to force through a sale was 'deader than a dead thing from dead land' on September 29 last year.
Neville on Gillespie
Gary Neville has revealed that he tried to convince Keith Gillespie to stay at Manchester United in 1995 but the winger was set on a move to Newcastle United.
Neville and Gillespie came through the ranks together as part of the Class of 92 alongside Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt.
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Although the pair both made their first team debuts just a few months after winning the FA Youth Cup, it was Neville who ultimately nailed down a place in the starting line-up.
Gillespie eventually found himself being offered to Newcastle by Sir Alex Ferguson as part of Manchester United's £7m bid to sign Andy Cole - much to Neville's despair.
