Demba Ba has no reason to seek a move from Newcastle United during the summer transfer window, according to manager Alan Pardew.
The Magpies took advantage of West Ham United’s plight last year, when they activated a relegation clause in the Senegal international’s contract to take him on a free transfer. It was without doubt one of the shrewdest moves of the summer, as the striker helped the Tyneside club to their best league placing since 2003/04.
Ironically, it is another clause which could be Newcastle’s undoing twelve months on, with Ba’s current deal including a minimum release of £7million. After scoring 16 times in the Premier League last season this is likely to be of interest to many rival clubs, but Pardew believes the 27-year-old is in no rush to explore his options.
“I’ve not seen any sign from Demba since he came back that suggests he wants to find another club,” said the United manager. “I genuinely don’t see a situation where he wants to move on. We are planning for him to have another great season with us.”
The clause in Ba’s contract expires at the end of this month, and despite Pardew’s apparent confidence that this date will come and go with little activity, it is clear he has been on the lookout for attacking reinforcements. The United manager had made a move for Luuk de Jong, the Holland international, earlier this summer, but his bid of a reported £8million feel short of the valuation set by Twente, who rate him at almost twice as much.
