A return to St James’s Park for Demba Ba – who left Newcastle for Chelsea – seems unlikely.
Ba has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in the wake of Jose Mourinho’s appointment as manager.
However, the 28-year-old is understood to be keen to stay and fight for his place at the club, though Anzhi Makhachkala are reportedly ready to make him a lucrative offer in a bid to persuade him to move to Russia.
He was linked with a loan move to West Brom but they have signed another big name.
Nicolas Anelka plans to end his career at West Brom after signing a one-year deal at the Hawthorns.
The 34-year-old former France international also has the option of a further 12 months and is hoping to see out his footballing days in the Black Country.
Nicolas Anelka: "I think I will finish in England, I'm happy here. I also hope that it will be with this club. I think this is the right club for me.
"I'm 34 years old now and I want to enjoy my football. I hope everything will be perfect.
"I hope we will be successful this year and hopefully we will reach Europe. We will try to do better than last season.
"That's why I'm here. When I spoke with the head coach, he said he wants to do better than last year. We will try our best to do that.
"We will also try to do the same in the cup competitions."
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES:
Motherwell (A) July 16
Rio Ave (A) July 20
Pacos Ferreira (A) July 23
Blackpool (A) July 29
St Mirren (A) July 31
Braga (H) August 10
WE TELL IT AS IT IS - NO BULLSHIT!
Follow Newcastle Utd-Mad on Facebook:-
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Newcastleutd-mad/199695536844554
NEWCASTLE UNITED FIXTURES ...
Saturday August 17
15:00Premier League Manchester City v Newcastle United
Saturday August 24
15:00Premier League Newcastle United v West Ham United
Saturday August 31
15:00Premier League Newcastle United v Fulham Saturday
September 14
15:00Premier League Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Saturday September 21
15:00Premier League Newcastle United v Hull City
Saturday September 28
15:00Premier League Everton Newcastle v United
Saturday October 5
15:00Premier League Cardiff City v Newcastle United
Saturday October 19
15:00Premier League Newcastle United v Liverpool
Saturday October 26
15:00Premier League Sunderland v Newcastle United
Saturday November 2