Newcastle United have had a second bid for striker Jorgen Strand Larsen rejected by Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the latest offer worth 55 million pounds.

The Magpies' improved approach followed an opening 50 million-pound bid, which was also turned down. Newcastle believed its initial talks with Wolves had been encouraging, but the Midlands club remains firm in its stance: Strand Larsen is not for sale this summer.

The Wolves insist the Norway international is too important to lose, and there is insufficient time left in the transfer window to secure a suitable replacement.

Although Larsen is keen on a move to St James' Park, he is not forcing the issue out of respect for Wolves. Newcastle sees him as a direct successor to Callum Wilson, who departed at the end of his contract earlier this summer, rather than as a replacement for Alexander Isak. The Swedish forward has yet to feature this season and is pushing to leave the club.

Larsen, 25, joined Wolves permanently from Celta Vigo in July after a successful loan spell. He has already started both of Wolves' opening Premier League fixtures and scored twice from the bench in Tuesday's Carabao Cup win over West Ham.

In total, he has made 41 appearances, scoring 16 goals and registering five assists for the club.