Nikola Kalinic lifts lid on failed China move

Fiorentina striker Nikola Kalinic has revealed that he snubbed a winter offer from China as he felt he was not worth the transfer package.

The Croatia international had held talks with Tianjin Quanjian over the winter period with the Chinese club willing to meet his £42.5m release clause.

However, the 29-year-old was not comfortable carrying the burden of a hefty valuation, and he decided to stay put at La Viola.

"It would have been a done deal if I had said yes, even if I'm not sure what the club would have said," he told Corrierre della Sera.

"[Tianjin manager Fabio] Cannavaro called me, but for me the issue closed and has never been reopened. I'm not really worth the €50m (£42.5m) release clause and I doubt anyone will spend that for me."

The former Blackburn Rovers striker has netted 14 goals across all competitions for Fiorentina, who are vying for a European qualification place for next season.

He was previously linked with both Chelsea and Everton last summer, but a deal failed to materialise with either club.