Magpies stand firm on Ba wages

Newcastle will not be held to ransom by striker Demba Ba's representatives.

Ba's future on Tyneside has been thrown into doubt with manager Alan Pardew admitting the release clause which might have triggered his departure during the summer will become active again in January.

The Magpies have attempted to tie the 27-year-old Senegal international to a new deal which would not include a similar clause, but have yet to reach an agreement with the Ba camp looking for a significant increase in the player's current weekly wage of around £50,000.

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