Newcastle fans will be returning to the bar soon in order to drown their sorrows after Alexandre Lacazette rejected a move to Newcastle United, according to the Daily Mail.

The North East side had reportedly seen a club-record £22 million bid accepted for the Lyon striker, although he was not too keen on the transfer himself and has decided to remain in France for now.

The proposed transfer of the French forward to move to St. James’ Park would have beaten the £16 million spent on Michael Owen back in 2005,

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren is desperate to sign another forward in the January transfer window as he looks to kick-start his team’s season, with his team currently languishing in the relegation zone while Papiss Cisse is expected to be ruled out for at least another month with a groin strain.

However, Lacazette is determined to earn his place in France's Euro 2016 squad this summer and is said to have dismissed Newcastle's approach out of hand.

The 24-year-old scored 29 goals in all competitions for Lyon last season, but he has failed to replicate any kind of similar form so far in the current campaign, managing just 8 goals in 24 appearances.

Even so, McClaren was definitely interested in signing the striker and will now be forced to look elsewhere as he looks to bring in additional attacking outlets to reinforce his squad.

Apart from his desire to be involved with France’s Euros campaign on home turf next year, Lacazette is also reportedly holding out for a move to another Champions League club, as well as holding a concern over the Magpies' relationship with French players in recent years.

After the initial success of Moussa Sissoko, Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye at the club, the latter pair have left the club, whilst players like last summer's £12 million arrival Florian Thauvin have been far from impressive.

Newcastle fans might be venting their drunken frustration towards former Newcastle man Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, who is now plying his trade at Lyon alongside Lacazette, and the Toon Army might believe that the defender’s relatively negative experience at Newcastle could have influenced the striker’s opinion.

Newcastle fans, which striker should your club look to sign now? Let us know in the comments below!