NEWCASTLE United will look to offer Demba Ba a new contract to fend off interest in the in-form striker.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp angered the club when he suggested Ba has a release clause in his contract.
The 26-year-old was yesterday named the Premier League’s Player of the Month for December after scoring five goals in six games.
Ba signed off ahead of the African Cup of Nations with his 15th goal of the season in Wednesday night’s 3-0 win over Manchester United.
And his form at the Sports Direct Arena means he is being closely watched by a number of Premier League managers, among them Redknapp.
Redknapp said: “Demba Ba’s done great, hasn’t he? Everybody’s looking at him suddenly.
“Anybody could have had him a year ago. Full credit to Alan Pardew, he took him.
“He’s done a fantastic job. What a strike-rate he’s got. He’s probably the most in-form striker anywhere at the moment.
“They say there’s a release clause in his contract, that’s what we all hear.
“He’s certainly done well, and it will be interesting to see what happens there, but at the moment he’s doing great things for Newcastle.”
Newcastle, as yet, have made no comment on Redknapp’s claim about a release clause, and the club will be concerned at the prospect of the Senegal international becoming unsettled so early in his United career.
And it is likely Ba will be offered a new deal by the club.
H Yohan Cabaye admits his midfield partner Cheik Tiote will be a huge miss during the African Cup of Nations.
But the French star is still confident the club can cope without him and top scorer Ba.
“Cheik and Demba will be big misses for us – they are very important players,” Cabaye said. “But we have trust in every player at this club and I think we can play well without them.
“We have trust in Danny Guthrie and Dan Gosling and every player in this squad.”