Newcastle Striker Could Quit in January Over Wage Demands – Report

Newcastle United have refused to give in to the wage demands of striker Demba Ba after talks with the player broke down.

The Newcastle Chronicle has reported that the club began contract talks with Ba in July as they attempt to avoid a similar situation to the summer, which saw the striker linked with numerous clubs due to a release clause in his contract.

This was said to have expired on July 31, but the paper has revealed that the striker could still quit Newcastle in January as there is a fresh clause offering clubs the chance to sign him once the window opens.

Newcastle did not receive a single offer for the striker over the summer but the club are determined to resolve any issues long before the January window opens.

Toon boss Alan Pardew was quizzed about the situation before Newcastle's Europa League game against Martimo.

"The situation is ongoing with him and his contract," Pardew told the Chronicle. "I've got no problems with Demba. He's a key player - trust me.

"He's a team player and that's why I signed him. He'll always be like that.

"I have spoke to him and he's fine. Some of the comments said by him are out of his control and out of my control. We know each other well enough."

Ba was said to have been unhappy with his role at Newcastle since the arrival of Papiss Cisse. The Senegal international has been pushed to the left-wing in order for his international colleague to play through the middle.

"Since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, Demba doesn't understand the management," said Ba's representative Alex Gontran. "If he continues to be a substitute all season, we'll look at other solutions."