It just wouldn’t be right if we were to approach the January transfer window without Arsenal being linked with another frontman.
And at a time when the Gunners are genuinely short in quality in attack, now is a time more than ever when the rumours begin to start.
We’ve all heard the talk about the return of Thierry Henry and possible moves for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Fernando Llorente.
But one man who we are being linked with who really interests me is Newcastle United striker Demba Ba.
Ever since arriving in England with West Ham United, Ba has proved to be a thorne in many sides, possessing a number of abilities that allow him to penetrate his way through Premier League defences.
Whether neat interplay along the deck, a aerial battle or a solo strike, Ba can find a key for the lock of any other defence in the top flight.
One fact that is telling about Ba is his very generous £7.5m buy-out clause, a price that isn’t out of any range among the division’s big boys.
The talk has just begun in the newspapers either, both Ba and Arsene Wenger have commented on a possible switch in recent days.
Ba told French radio station RMC:
“Arsenal is a club that has not won the title for a long time, but it is true that this is a club that attracts every footballer. But as I said and repeated, these are the people who talk in the newspapers because for the moment, between me and Arsenal, there is not much.
“That means I’m in my club at the moment and the day I have to leave, I will analyse the situation. If it’s better for me to stay, I will stay. And if it’s better for me to go, I will.
“After that, it is better to go somewhere where there are a lot of French, because it fits much more easily. But for now, it is not in the program.”
Of course, it would not take long before the Arsenal chief was questioned about any interest in Ba, and Wenger, keeping his cards close to his chest as usual, came up with this response.
“I like Demba Ba, yes, but it is not the right place to speak about him because he plays against us tomorrow.
“If you ask me ‘do we sign him’, I say no.”
With all the current speculation going around about a potential move, it is only fitting that Ba’s Newcastle travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal just three days before the transfer window opens.
I’m sure it won’t take long for the rumours that Ba will discuss terms after the game with Wenger to start.
Oooops, never mind.
Matt Cotton
Not the player we need. He is surprisingly slow and we need more pace up front. I think Sessegnon at Sunderland would be a smartbuy, someone who can run with the ball at his feet. And fellaini would shrewd too. £30m can bag both of them.
30 mil for both? hahaha you would be lucky to get change from 30m for just Fellaini. dreamland or what
Wenger has already said he not buying him and personally I can't see it either, he has a lot of problems with his knees and cannot pass a medical he also cannot get insurance so the rules him out of quite a few clubs, we took the risk with him and we are still willing to take a risk with him but as he gets older he is likely to start having quite a few problems.
can you honestly see any team willing to cough up £7.5 million + his agents want around £2 million + Demba wants 80K+ Per week wages imho i cannot see any club stumping up that sort of money and if they do they would be stupid.
Be my guest and buy Demba Ba but don't be surprised if he turns out to be an expensive flop after a few weeks/months
He is overrated, he has scored many goals for us but this is because he is greedy and doesn't bring others into the game that much, Nufc fans want cisse playing through the middle as he is a far superior finisher and all round better player. I will be pleased when he's sold as I can't be bothered with hearing all the stories. I hope we buy a decent striker to replace him though. I'd be happy with Rooney but I fear he will be too fat soon and won't run much. Van Persie is ok but Tim Krul doesn't like him so Newcastle won't allow it. Slightly off topic but I think Alex Ferguson should retire now and play bowls because he is getting too stressed out now with the game, he needs to hang around with other old people who have lost the plot and eat cheese sandwiches
Don't want Ba! Podolski is a better striker being played out of position. Would much rather have a 31 year old Villa than Ba