Newcastle United have thus far failed to agree a new contract with star striker Demba Ba who could leave the club for as little as £7.5million in the January transfer window.

The Guardian has reported that the Senegal international has turned down the latest offer from Newcastle as they attempt to negotiate a new deal which removes the release clause from his contract.

Demba Ba
Demba Ba has turned down a new contract offer from Newcastle [Reuters]

There were suggestions that a number of teams would look to invoke the clause during the summer, but Newcastle did not receive a single offer and fans believed that they would not be sure of holding onto the striker.

However, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has revealed that the £7.5m get-out clause has remained in his contract and that he could leave if a club matches the amount when the transfer window opens in the New Year.

Ba was Newcastle's top scorer last season, despite not registering in the league after the arrival of his international team-mate Papiss Cisse, and has once again impressed in this campaign with eight league goals.

Reports suggest that Newcastle are keen to secure his long-term future but are currently well short of matching his wage demands as they continue to negotiate with his representatives.

The 27-year-old has given little indication that he wants to leave the club and has seemed much happier after being given a more central role this season.

However, Newcastle will want to make sure the situation has been resolved well before Christmas in order to avoid speculation about his future during the transfer window.

The north east club could certainly do with Ba committing his future to the club after a difficult start to the season as they currently find themselves in 14<sup>th place, just two points above the relegation zone.