CHELSEA has been granted permission to approach Newcastle United striker Demba Ba after making an offer that triggered a release clause in his contract from the Premier League strugglers.
Chelsea can now open talks with the 27-year-old Senegal striker after meeting the pound stg. 7 million ($10.91m) asking price stipulated in his contract.
Ba, who joined Newcastle in 2011, was subsequently withdrawn from manager Alan Pardew's squad for the 2-1 Premier League loss at home to Everton yesterday.
"Newcastle United can confirm that Chelsea Football Club has made an official offer for Demba Ba which has triggered the release clause in the player's contract," Newcastle said in a statement.
Although Chelsea is yet to conclude a deal for Ba, Pardew expects the transfer to be completed shortly.
"It's done. He will go to Chelsea with our blessing," Pardew told Sky Sports.
"He has done fantastic for us and it's not a bad thing. All the uncertainty is now done and we can move on.
"This club is bigger than any player, for sure."
Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez refused to confirm his club's approach for Ba, but he did concede the European champions were in need of extra options up front, with forward Daniel Sturridge having been sold to Liverpool.
"I have not spoken with our people so don't know the situation regarding Demba Ba," said the Spaniard, shortly after his side's shock 1-0 loss at home to bottom club Queens Park Rangers.
"Fernando Torres has been playing every game and you could see he was tired."
Liverpool signed Sturridge on a long-term contract after he was unable to impose himself at Stamford Bridge, having been predominantly used as a substitute this season.
"I am humbled and happy to be here," Sturridge told the Liverpool website.
"(Liverpool manager) Brendan Rodgers said he sees me here for a long time, and I also see myself here for a long time. I've not signed here to play for a couple of years and then move on.
"I've signed to be here for as long as possible. It's a humongous club -- for me, one of the biggest in the world -- and to have the fans and world-class players we have here is amazing."
Speaking after his side's 3-0 win at home to Sunderland yesterday, Rodgers said he was excited about adding Sturridge to his squad.
"I have known Daniel since he was 12 at Coventry and then coming through the ranks at Man City. He can score, he has pace and power," said Rodgers.
"He is also hungry and what we need at Liverpool is players hungry to do well. He recognises this might be his chance at a big club and he has to produce."
Meanwhile Joe Cole is closing in on a move from Liverpool to West Ham to end his lacklustre spell at Anfield.
The former England midfielder joined Liverpool on a free transfer from Chelsea before the 2010-11 season, but struggled to break into the side and spent most of last season on loan at French club Lille.
French right-back Mathieu Debuchy arrived in Newcastle yesterday to begin talks over a move to the club.
AFP
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