NEWCASTLE UNITED MANAGER Alan Pardew is hopeful striker Demba Ba will not leave the club during the January transfer window.
The Senegalese forward reportedly has a minimum-fee release clause of seven million pounds in his contract, alerting the interest of several clubs in England and across Europe.
Pardew wants the 27-year-old to sign a new deal with Newcastle, but is prepared to cash in on him rather than risk talks over a new deal dragging on into next season.
Ba’s contract expires at the end of the 2013/14 campaign.
Pardew told reporters: “I think he will stay, but there’s a possibility he could go because of the clause that’s still in force.
“Really and truly this window is the key, I think, because if Demba goes in this window, it will cause us a problem. We will either move Demba on or we will secure him in the summer.
“In the summer – I won’t let it run until the summer. I’ll do something about it.”
