NEWCASTLE UNITED have rejected the offer to re-sign Islam Slimani, with the Algeria international now set to join Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon.

Slimani spent the second half of last season on loan at St James’ Park, but was unable to make much of an impression because of a persistent thigh problem.

Leicester City are ready to cut their losses on Slimani, and are keen to move on the 29-year-old before the transfer window closes on August 9.

His agent offered Newcastle the chance to engineer a deal, but Rafael Benitez is not interested in re-signing the striker.

Ideally, Leicester would like to set up a permanent deal that enables them to recoup the vast majority of the £25m they shelled out to sign Slimani from Sporting Lisbon.

However, with no one willing to meet their asking price, they have indicated they are willing to consider another loan deal.

Newcastle do not have any interest in that either though, so Slimani now looks likely to return to the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

Benitez remains determined to land a new striker this summer, with West Brom’s Salomon Rondon still his number one target.

The Magpies will step up their attempts to seal a deal once Aleksandar Mitrovic completes his proposed £20m move to Fulham.