The striker has repaid his fee and then some in just one season, and it could be his loss if he leaves.
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan is likely a bit embarrassed, gutted and bitter about the way his club let 17-goal Demba Ba leave for free.
His ‘revelation’ yesterday about Ba’s release clause will have rightly given some concern to Newcastle fans.
Sullivan said that Ba has a release clause of £7.5 million but due to contractual arrangements, the club would only receive half of any fee with the rest going to Ba and his agent.
It certainly has the potential to leave Newcastle owner Mike Ashley red-faced, but you have to consider that actually the Magpies have done really well out of the deal, rather than the other way around.
They signed a striker who has scored 17 goals for the club – and we’re only in February- for free. Let’s not forget what a brilliant deal it was in the first place.
If anyone should be feeling silly it is David Sullivan.
Ba has contributed vital, match-winning goals, and propelled Newcastle into an unlikely race for a Europa League spot, even a Champions League spot.
He has actually saved Mike Ashley a lot of money and a lot of grief.
Grief because fans were expecting the club to spend at least £20 million of the Andy Carroll money on a proven goalscorer who could get the fans excited.
Ba’s success has been a huge distraction from this, and all for free. Mike Ashley must be laughing.
Ba has also been able to help attract Papiss Cisse to the club, his international team-mate.
Without Ba, and his goals lifting Newcastle into the top half of the table, Cisse would likely have held out for a move elsewhere, so even if Ba leaves for pastures new at the end of the season he has been a real asset to the club.
But Ba should think before jumping ship.
At Newcastle he is revered by the fans and is first choice; he also is in with a great shout of playing European football next season.
Leave to move to Chelsea, Manchester United or Spurs and he will face plenty of time on the bench, being rotated.
He should stay at least another season, put his faith in Alan Pardew and his team-mates, and see how far his Newcastle adventure can take him.
But if he does move, when they reflect Newcastle shouldn’t be too sad either and should be grateful for what he has already done for the club.
images: © mikebrown59, © mikebrown59
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
