Newcastle striker Demba Ba has been all over the press in recent weeks making himself look ready and available to go to multiple clubs including both Arsenal and Chelsea whom are rumored to be interested in the player. The transfer window is live once again now on Jan. 1, 2013 and despite the rumors it appears that manager Alan Pardew is keen to keep his top scorer this winter.
According to quotes by the Telegraph Ba may not be going anywhere anytime soon but the manager is still of the belief that the player could force a move:
I still think it's even whether he will stay or go.
In this window, I would like to think he will stay in the situation we are in. But that will be probably his decision...
...The difference is that the contract terms have been widely put around, and that's been our problem, and as I say people getting involved who perhaps have no right to be involved because of that situation.
It has been difficult - it's difficult for our fans because they love Demba and they want to see him in a black and white shirt.
He is scoring goals for us and offensively, we look potent again, which is good news for us, so ideally he stays.
If Ba does leave it will be a major blow to the Magpies attacking abilities for the second half of the season as outside of the Senegalese striker, there have been few players anywhere near his level of form this season as the club are failing to live up to the high expectations they set for themselves with last season's fifth place finish.
Chelsea and Arsenal both have the means and the funds to come after the player and could make a move in late January if their earlier transfer plans fail to come to fruition. It is not a matter of if Ba will leave the club this season in the long run but the real issue will be when. In truth the club cannot afford to lose him this winter.
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