Former Premier League striker knocks back January Newcastle United move

The Atletico Madrid frontman was farmed out on loan to AS Roma in the summer, but has endured a tough time of things at the Stadio Olimpico this season.

And as a result the Croatian former Blackburn forward has reportedly been offered around clubs across Europe, including the Magpies.

But, according to Tuttomercatoweb, Kalinic has turned down the chance to join Steve Bruce on Tyneside.

Bruce is understood to be keen to strengthen his ranks this month with a striker top of his transfer wishlist.

Record-breaking Brazilian Joelinton has scored just one goal this season, while Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle are yet to hit the back of the net. Fellow forwards Miguel Almiron, Yoshinori Muto and Allan Saint-Maximin have two, one and one respectively.

Loan requests have reportedly been knocked back for Olivier Giroud and Michy Batsuayi at Chelsea already this month while interest has been reported in Everton's Cenk Tosun and Brighton's Glenn Murray.

Talking about the club’s January plan after the FA Cup draw at Rochdale, Bruce said: “We've had a couple of knock-backs already so we'll keep working away.

“It's very difficult, especially at that end of the pitch, to get something that's going to make you better. I won't just be bringing in players for the sake of it, but we'll see what the next two or three weeks bring.

“Our frailties are pretty obvious - we don't score enough goals.”