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Pardew: Ba saga must end soon

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has urged Demba Ba to quickly make a decision about his future after talks about a move to Chelsea broke down.

Last Updated: 31/12/12 at 17:45 Post Comment

Chelsea officials held initial discussions with the 27-year-old's representatives but were unable to reach an agreement on any potential deal.

Senegal international Ba has a £7million release clause in his Magpies contract which becomes active on Tuesday, but Newcastle have tried to remove this hitch by offering the striker a fresh deal.

Manager Pardew is still hopeful Ba will not leave in the transfer window but admits Newcastle will withdraw the offer if he does not sign it soon.

"I feel a little bit sorry for Demba as well because I think people who are representing him are not actually representing him," he said.

"There are people out there who are fuelling this who are not actually involved, or want to be involved, and that's the world we live in.

"The contract is what it is. We are well aware of that and for me as the manager, I need it resolved as quickly as possible. That's the best situation for our fans and for the club."

When asked about the deal on the table for Ba, Pardew said: "Well I think the situation with that is that it's getting close to the point that we say no more, but the offer is still there."

The speculation about Ba's future has dragged on since the summer and Pardew admits the player will probably have the final say on whether he stays or goes.

"The first question I have had in here most weeks is about Demba. The way the contract was first drawn up has been hanging over us and I understand why it was at the time," he said.

"In this window, I would like to think he will stay in the situation we are in, but that will probably be his decision."

Ba, who joined Newcastle on a free transfer from West Ham in June 2011, already has 13 goals to his name and has also been linked with Arsenal, Tottenham, QPR and French giants Paris Saint Germain.

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