Newcastle United's Alan Pardew: 'Demba Ba will join Chelsea'

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has reiterated that striker Demba Ba will join Chelsea this month.

The Senegalese striker was given permission to talk to the London club on Wednesday after they made an official offer to the Magpies that triggered the 27-year-old's £7m release clause in his contract.

"I don't think he will be coming back, I think the deal will get done," Pardew told BBC Sport.

"We can move on, we're a massive club here. This club is bigger than any player for sure."

Ba joined Newcastle in June 2011.