EPL Transfer Rumours: Newcastle Lining Up Peter Odemwingie as Ba Replacement

With reports breaking early on Wednesday that Chelsea have triggered the release clause of Newcastle forward Demba Ba, the Magpies already have a reported replacement lined up. 

BBC Sport reported on Wednesday that Ba would miss Newcastle's clash with Everton because of talks with Chelsea.

Chelsea are looking to bring in the Senegalese forward after Daniel Sturridge's move to Liverpool was made official earlier in the day (via BBC Sport).

If Ba leaves St. James' Park for Stamford Bridge, Newcastle will have to find a replacement for their leading goal scorer.

According to The Sun, Newcastle will go after West Bromwich Albion forward Peter Odemwingie if Ba completes a move to Stamford Bridge.  

Since joining West Brom in 2010, Odemwingie has scored 29 EPL goals in three seasons. His 15 goals during the 2010-11 season marked his best year with the club.

This season, Odemwingie has only scored four goals in 17 EPL appearances for the seventh-placed outfit. 

The Nigerian international has seen plenty of competition at the forward position this season with Shane Long and Romelu Lukaku also fighting for a spot in Steve Clarke's lineup. 

At Newcastle, Odemwingie would be paired with Papiss Cisse in Alan Pardew's 4-4-2 formation. 

Odemwingie would be a welcome addition to the injury-ridden Newcastle squad, which has seen offensive stars Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa go down with long-term injuries. 

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report and follow me on Twitter (@JTansey90) for further updates on all of these potential January transfers.