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Did you know that one major transfer deadline has already passed? It may have failed to get Jim White hot under the collar but I bet a few members of the Geordie Nation stayed up half the night. The hours ticked down, fans went from staring at the infamous Sky Sports News ticker to the night sky, praying that a helicopter wouldn’t scoop their star striker away, or worse still drop off Ryan Babel as a replacement.
As daylight broke to signal the arrival of August it was confirmed that Senegal international Demba Ba would remain at Newcastle after a deadline to activate a release clause expired. According to reports a bid of just £7.5m would have freed the 27-year-old from his contract, which begs the question why every club seemingly declined such an opportunity?
Ba had just enjoyed his most successful campaign in the Premier League, finishing as the club’s leading scorer with 16 goals. However, a disastrous spell at the Africa Cup of Nations coupled with the arrival of compatriot Papiss Cisse saw his role in the team altered and meant he scored just once during the remainder of the season. Nevertheless the public knowledge of his release clause should have sparked a transfer tussle as teams fought for his affection.
The main contenders for his signature were Turkish juggernauts Galastaray and Fenerbache whilst Rubin Kazan provided one of a few destinations that could offer a colder winter than the one Ba currently endured in Tyneside. It was certainly surprising not to see any Premier League teams make a move, especially as both Liverpool and Spurs look increasingly bereft of any firepower. The deal could have been the latest in a long line of transfer coups for Daniel Levy whilst fans at Anfield would have surely relished a transfer that didn’t come with a grossly inflated fee.
Despite Ba’s obvious credentials on the pitch, a big question mark still resides over the status of his long-term knee trouble. Tony Pulis dubbed the joint a ‘ticking time bomb’ when his move to Stoke collapsed in 2011 whilst Alan Pardew has since labelled it a ‘deficiency’. Newcastle are currently reaping the rewards for the risk they took on Ba but it has recently come to light that they refused to re-negotiate his complex pay-as-you-play contract until next summer. An indication that his future will continue to remain in doubt.
It is worth considering that the player was never interested in a move away from the Magpies despite his constant presence in the tabloid newspapers. Shortly before the July 31 milestone Ba gave an interview to the Journal from Newcastle’s training base in Portugal in which he outlined his commitment to the club.
“The newspapers and I are not very friendly at the moment. For months and months and months, people have been talking about me, but there is nothing happening.
“Of course, I am looking forward to next season with Newcastle. We just have to build on the progress we made last season. For me, I just can’t wait to start the first game.” (Telegraph)
There is every reason for Ba to be content with life on Tyneside at present. Alan Pardew has masterminded a magnificent revival at a club that many considered on the brink just a few short years ago. The likes of Tiote, Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa have been welcome additions to the squad and helped re-establish the Toon Army as a dominant force in the Premier League. Pardew has vowed to reinstate Ba in his preferred central attacking role for “90% of the time” next season and their failed attempts to snag FC Twente’s promising striker Luuk de Jong and former talisman Andy Carroll will see him continue to be a prominent member of the side.
A season of new challenges awaits Newcastle with heavier expectations in the league and a stage set for Ba and co to flourish on the European circuit. Their hectic schedule will mean Pardew has to utilise every inch of his squad’s impressive depth but for once, the chants of ‘Thursday night, Channel 5’ will bring a smile to a set of supporters.
Join me on Twitter @theunusedsub where I will continue to sing the praises of ‘Pardiola’.
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