LONDON: Newcastle manager Alan Pardew admitted on Thursday that his club are powerless to keep Demba Ba if the Senegal striker wants to quit St James' Park.
Ba has a clause in his contract that allows him to leave if another team offers 7.5 million pounds and Pardew knows the former West Ham star could attract interest from several clubs during the January transfer window.
The 27-year-old, who has scored 11 times this season, was forced to deny reports this week that he had said it would be a dream come true to join Arsenal, while Liverpool are also said to be interested.
In the circumstances, Pardew is resigned to a month of worrying that one of his key players will be tempted away from Tyneside.
"It's unfortunate that the contract he has leaves open a lot of questions because we have this clause and every window that comes around, I have to answer the same questions," Pardew said.
"It would be disappointing for him to leave in this window for this club and for his team-mates here, but the decision will be his, ultimately, because that clause is there.
"The most important things we have got with Demba is he is someone who is a goalscorer and he is scoring goals, and that's very, very important to a side.
"His commitment to and work-rate for the team, I don't fault."
- AFP/fa
Football: Newcastle powerless to keep Ba admits Pardew
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Football: Newcastle powerless to keep Ba admits Pardew
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Football: Newcastle powerless to keep Ba admits Pardew
