The protracted Demba Ba saga seems to be drawing to an end, with Newcastle United officially announcing that they had given Chelsea permission to discuss personal terms with the Senegalese striker. Ba is reported to have an escape clause in his contract, rumoured to be around £7m, and the Blues have triggered it by offering £7m to the Magpies.
Arsenal and Liverpool were also reportedly in the running for Ba, but Chelsea appear to have stolen a march over their rivals. Newcastle have attempted to make Ba revise the terms of his contract in recent months in order to prevent him from leaving in January but their efforts were of no avail.
Ba has scored half of Newcastle’s goals this season but will not be part of the squad that will take on Everton.
Also Get the very Latest Football Transfer News, Rumours and Gossip direct to your email.