'Del Boy' Derek Llambias told us yesterday: "We expect to lose two quality players in the next transfer window" and named Cheik Tiote as the most likely to go, with Ba (and that escape clause in his contract) the next.
Ba has warned his team-mates not to let Newcastle United’s excellent season “go to waste” and targets a crack at Europe next season.
Demba Ba: “As a team we are focused solely on finishing the season as strongly as we can.
“We don’t want the good work we have done in the first six months of the season to go to waste.
“Our last visit to London (Tottenham) was not a good one but we have to learn from that and I am sure we will go to the Emirates fully prepared for the game.
“Now we turn our attention to Arsenal and we know what a tough game it’s going to be.
“Yes they had a sticky period a few weeks ago but they were outstanding against Tottenham and AC Milan recently, so we will have to be at our best to combat their threat.
“Robin van Persie has been outstanding for them.
“He is a tremendous goalscorer and deservedly leads the Premier League scoring chart.”