Arsenal are prepared to test the resolve of Newcastle United by launching a January bid for Demba Ba.
The forward, who is stalling over a new contract with the Magpie, took his goal tally in the Barclays Premier League to 10 last night with a double during his side’s comfortable home win against Wigan.
And with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger keen to provide some more cutting edge up front, Ba could be the perfect option.
The Toon goal machine could leave for as little as £7m under a release clause in his contract, which would be a real bargain, but Arsenal face tough competition from Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, who is known to be a fan of the Senegalese international.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was candid about Demba Ba’s future, telling Sky Sports after the Wigan game: “We’ve tried to do a deal with him
and take the clause out and that’s probably where the speculation is.
“The clause is always hanging over us and it makes it difficult for us, the club and him. We accept that and that’s the way football is.”