Sporting Lisbon has turned down a €20m bid from Newcastle United for striker Islam Slimani, according to France Football.
The Magpies have already signed AS Roma striker Seydou Doumbia on loan until the end of the season.
However, manager Steve McClaren is looking to sign another striker before the window shuts down later today.
The St James’ Park outfit currently sit in the relegation zone in the Premier League, with 21 points from 23 league games.
Slimani has scored 20 goals this season in all competitions for the Estadio Jose Alvalade outfit in 30 appearances.
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The 27-year-old Algerian striker has scored 46 goals in his two and a half year spell with the Portuguese side.
Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic, the strikers at McClaren’s disposal, have been less than clinical in front of goal this season.
Perez has managed five goals in 24 appearances for the Geordies, while Mitrovic has only managed four in 21 outings.
McClaren has already splashed the cash in the ongoing transfer window, having signed Jonjo Shelvey from Swansea City and Andros Townsend from Tottenham Hotspur for £12m each.
The 54-year-old is looking to bolster his side to prepare for this season’s relegation dogfight.
Newcastle had targeted West Bromwich Albion forward Saido Berahino, but have now turned their attention to the Algerian striker it appears, after meeting with no success.
