Newcastle Transfer News: Alan Pardew Wants Demba Ba to Stay at Newcastle

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has stated that he has no intentions of selling Demba Ba over the summer transfer window and wants the star striker to remain at Newcastle next season.

The Senegalese international received plenty of attention from rival English Premier League clubs after it was reported by the Daily Mail that a buy-out clause was available in his contract—meaning that he could be purchased for as little as £7 million.

However, the Magpies boss has confirmed he wants Ba to remain at the club to partner Papiss Cisse and expects the 27-year-old to still be at St. James Park when they kick off their new campaign later next month.

Speaking via Sky Sports, Pardew said:

"

I want Demba to stay. He's a Newcastle player and all I'm focusing on is making sure he's a Newcastle player next season.

Expectations are going to be greater next season, and I accept that. We competed with the top teams last season and we have to try and achieve the same again next season. But the European campaign will put pressure on us big time.

"

Newcastle were by far the biggest surprise of the recently completed Premier League season—finishing fifth and beating home the likes of Chelsea, Everton, Liverpool and Fulham—and much of that success can be attributed to the breakout performances of Ba.

The striker netted 16 times last season and was the go-to striker until Cisse arrived, which saw his production drop off to an extent as Cisse excelled at the club.

Pardew firmly believes that Ba can form a formidable partnership with Cisse and, as a result, will not consider passing the 27-year-old to another club over the transfer window.

And if Ba and Cisse can fire like they did last season, but do it at the same time this year, there's no reason to suggest that the Magpies cannot be a genuine threat throughout the Premier League season and challenge once again for the premiership.

Is Pardew making the right move to keep Demba Ba at the club?

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