Should we be prepared for Ba to leave?

The whole Demba Ba contract clause thing just isn't going away is it?

I mean Harry Redknapp has been at it again today and claims that the release clause is less than the £7 million that has been previously quoted. I won't go on a rant about him chatting about players contracted to other clubs too much. It's unethical but hey ho. I expect nothing less from him so I can't say I'm surprised.

The easy way to put a stop to it is for the club to come out and say something. On one hand, why should they have to say anything? On the other though it would clarify things once and for all. I'd hazard a guess on their silence being louder than any words would be however. There is almost certainly a clause in his contract, but what the clause is remains unconfirmed. Arguably as it should be...

Should we be bracing ourselves for the departure of Demba Ba though? Perhaps not now, but maybe in the summer? With the striker fluttering his eyelashes towards PSG and a whole host of interested suitors thanks to his supreme start to life at Newcastle Ba will have no shortage of options, especially if he is available at a knockdown price.

It's easy to resolve of course, well, relatively easy anyway. Give Demba a new contract that reflects his ability. He's proven that he can cut the mustard so there is an argument for the club giving him a contract that can reflect that which is a risk when you consider his knees. It's a risk that another club will be willing to take however, of that I have no doubt.

I honestly don't believe that Demba Ba is here for the long haul anymore. We'll be lucky to get through January with him still in black and white and that, I feel, is only down to his participation in the African Cup of Nations.

I have no expectation of loyalty from any player anymore. Andy Carroll ended that particular train of thought for me. Ba will go where the best offer is, which you can't blame him for really. We'd all do it. He may be happy on Tyneside at the moment, but I imagine he could be just as happy anywhere else. He's not like us and doesn't have an affinity to the area - it's just a job. Plus you have to question just how long he intended staying around for anyway with such a release clause in his contract?

Make the most of it while you can!