But Demba Ba is heading out of this club ... make no mistake about it ... and we (NU-Mad) told you that back in October!
Ba's agent has been kicking up the shit since the summer transfer market ended, trying to get a million-dollar cut for himself, out of a player who seems to have "£ signs" in his eyes rather than loyalty.
The striker took his goal tally for the season into double figures with two first-half goals in last night’s 3-0 win over Wigan Athletic at St James’s Park, and we now hear Arsenal are ready to join the chase to sign him.
Ba’s future was again in the headlines in the build-up to the game. The 27-year-old is available for a cut-price £7.5m in next month’s transfer window because of a release clause in his contract.
Newcastle have offered Ba a significant increase on his reported £40,000-a-week wage, but the Senegal international wants a staggering £90,000-a-week wage.
Alan Pardew: “Information about Demba’s contract has leaked out since we’ve been here, and these are things I don’t think are acceptable.
“But the truth of is that Demba’s got a clause in his contract, and it’s still hanging over us.
“We’ve tried to negotiate away, and we’ve not managed to do that as yet.
“But the one thing I will say, on a positive note, is that he’s never, if I’m honest, looked me in the eye and looked like he wanted to do anything else but stay here, and I hope he does.
“He’s been brilliant for us.
“At times, he’s important in the dressing room, and with everything else that he brings to the club.
“I’ve tried to encourage him to be more vocal in the dressing room because he’s a leader, but the 10 goals is a nice target for him.”