Achraf Lazaar is set to join Watford on a short-term deal following the mutual termination of his Newcastle United contract.
The Moroccan international made just nine first-team appearances in black-and-white after signing from Palermo in the summer of 2016.
Lazaar was deemed surplus to requirement on Tyneside for several years, and enjoyed loan stints in recent seasons with Benevento, Cosenza, and Sheffield Wednesday.
Newcastle failed to broker a permanent move away for the 29-year-old and eventually agreed a mutual termination of the left-back's contract last week.
Reports in the January transfer window indicated Serie A giants AC Milan were considering a move for Lazaar, but it would appear the defender is set to remain in English football until the end of the year.
Lazaar has reportedly agreed a six-month contract with Championship promotion-chasers Watford, and is due to undergo a medical before taking part in training on Tuesday. The Hornets are also understood to have the option to extend the contract by a year.
Lazaar told Italian media in December that he was keen to find a 'new challenge' following a frustrating four-and-a-half year spell at St James' Park, and was keen to return to Italy.
The defender told Passione Inter (via Sport Witness ): "It’s not easy and I’m not finding space with the first team, but I have many reasons not to give up.
"I still have one year on my contract and I still have a lot to prove, I’m playing matches with the second team and I’m always looking for motivation to stay on track with the utmost professionalism.
“Italy is my home and I miss my family, I don’t know what will happen in January, if maybe I will go to Italy or elsewhere: the only thing that matters to me is to go to a team that allows me to play with continuity and confidence. My agent is taking care of it.”
