NUFC Transfers: 5 Late Deadline Deals That Could Still Be Made

5. Demba Ba

It's an obvious one but it just had to be mentioned. Despite leaving Tyneside in the January transfer window for an undisclosed fee, the Senegalese frontman has only played 65 minutes for Jose Mourinho, falling behind Fernando Torres and Romelu Lukaku in the Stamford Bridge pecking order. Ba's perilous situation at the Europa League winners has been noted across Europe, with Arsenal hoping to stump up £1.5 million to take the striker away on a season-long loan and Napoli and Valencia also reportedly interested. Yet if this transfer window has taught us anything, it's that taking a signing from under Arsenal's nose isn't a tricky prospect. With the Gunners unwilling to meet Chelsea's valuation of £3 million for the loan, the Magpies could potentially swoop in and steal their one-time striker. From a footballing perspective, it would make perfect sense €“ adding a fifth first-team striker to their stable could provide Alan Pardew with the depth he so desperately needs to bring the good times back to St. James' Park. Also, the elephant in the room may not be such a bad thing €“ Ba's past history at the Magpies shows he can perform in the Premier League, and to Pardew's specifications.
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Durham University graduate and qualified sports journalist. Very good at sitting down and watching things. Can multi-task this with playing computer games. Football Manager addict who has taken Shrewsbury Town to the summit of the Premier League. You can follow me at @Ed_OwenUK, if you like ramblings about Newcastle United and A Place in the Sun. If you don't, I don't know what I can do for you.