Fiorentina striker Nikola Kalinic has no regrets rejecting Tianjin Quanjian.

The Chinese were willing to meet his €50m release clause last month.

“It would've been a done deal if I had said yes, even if I'm not sure what the club would've said," Kalinic told the Corriere della Sera newspaper.

“Fabio Cannavaro called me in January, but for me the issue is closed and has never been re-opened.

“I want to point out I didn't know precisely how much the offer was, but money isn't everything in life. I only just arrived in the football that really matters a year and a half ago and I didn't want to leave now.

“I think I still have a lot to give in European football. My idea of being a footballer is to face great champions and play important games.

“I spoke to President Andrea Della Valle two weeks ago and he said he was happy with my decision.

“Sousa just told me to think carefully, that was his only advice. He is a great Coach and I owe everything to him. He wanted me here at Fiorentina and rebooted my career."