According to many reports emerging yesterday afternoon, it seems Chelsea are set to sign Newcastle’s Demba Ba.
Talks were apparently scheduled between Stamford Bridge hierarchy and Ba`s representatives last night and this transfer rumour is coming from multiple sources, adding to its credibility. A release clause in Ba`s contract means Alan Pardew is powerless to prevent the 27 year-old`s departure from St James` Park and it is understood Chelsea are also willing to pay a further £2 million in agent`s fees to get the deal done and dusted. The signing of Ba would cost Chelsea £7m plus any signing on fees, agent’s fees etc.
Chelsea need more firepower, after having agreed the £12 million sale of Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool, and can no longer rely on the impressive Fernando Torres for the rest of the season. An injury to our number nine who seems on target for 20+ goals this season wouldn’t be good, so a player with Premiership experience and who finds the net on a regular occurrence, albeit a snip at £7m, seems good business.
Benítez was tight-lipped on the potential new arrival. “We do not talk about our business in public. My job is to prepare the team for games and they will let me know,” he said. “Ba plays for another team so I do not like to talk about it.”
Newcastle United are resigned to losing Ba who is looking for a five-year-contract and wages of around £83,000-a-week, a package Newcastle are reportedly not keen on offering.
Could this be a shrewd piece of business by Benitez? The man can score goals, and £7m isn’t a lot of money for a proven Premiership striker these days.
Thoughts?
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