Demba Ba seems to have been earmarked for a move to a top club since he joined Newcastle United (apologies Toon fans – you’re still a big club, but you’re not competing with the big boys at the moment). This is largely down to the release clause written into his contract.
Arsenal on the other hand, have been desperate for a decent striker ever since Robin Van Persie left last summer. The Dutchman’s absence has opened a massive void in the Arsenal attack and the likes of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud have been unable to fill it.
The less said about Marouane Chamakh, the better.
This lack of firepower upfront for Arsenal has been a major issue for the Gunners. Wenger’s side lack any sense of cut and thrust and attacks regularly peter out because an Arsenal forward doesn’t make the right run/right pass/fails to hold up the ball and so on. Players like Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere need good players in front of them if they’re to look good themselves.
Suffice to say, Arsenal need to look at buying a new striker and Newcastle’s Ba may fancy the opportunity.
Alan Pardew has admitted that he may struggle to keep hold of Ba, who has a £7.5m release clause written into his contract: “The truth of it is that Demba has got a clause in his contract and it is still hanging over us. We have tried to negotiate a way and we have not managed to do that as yet. But the one thing I will say on a positive note is that he has never, if I am honest, looked me in the eye and looked like he wanted to do anything else but stay here, and I hope he does.” (Source: ESPN).
Whilst Alan Pardew seems hopeful, the £7.5m price-tag attached to Ba may attract a manager like Arsene Wenger who is known for liking a bargain.
One thing’s for sure: he’s a natural finisher. Yes, he has pace and he’s direct, but the main attraction to Arsenal fans will be his goal scoring record. Last season he nabbed 16 goals in 36 appearances. This season he has already scored 10 goals in 17 appearances. This, in combination with his Premier League experience, makes him an attractive prospect.
I can’t help but hope that Wenger is in the market for both Klaas Jan-Huntelaar AND Demba Ba. The club is in need of some serious inspiration upfront and these two just may be able to provide it.
What’s your take? Would Demba Ba be a smart addition for Arsenal?
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Demba BA is the right man for the job. He dosen”t
need to adjust to the league.
But after living in England’s party city for so long – would Ba really want to go and live in the sprawling squalor that is London??
Demba BA is the right man for the job. He dosen”t
need to adjust to the league.
Wenger should sign demba and huntelaar to fill d void left by rvp,chamak.With his premershp experienc and also good in scoring goals,we really need his service.
I’m a Newcastle fan so i probably know more about this situation than the hopeful Gunar’. Yes he has a clause but he had this last year and never once considered a move away. He said on his twitter recently ‘here we go again’ he genuinely loves Newcastle and is banging them in again (due to Pardew playing him as the main man again as oppsed to Cisse). I think he’ll stay (remeber the player must agree as well – and if he does go i think he wont short change Newcastle). i agree that you are desperate for this type of player but why not try a player that wants a move? ie Sturridge???
Wenger should pls sign demba BA and adran lopez and zaha…and one more defender at the back and a defensive mid filder.