Demba Ba has turned down a new contract offer from Newcastle United.

The Journal says the Senegal striker's advisers have been involved in negotiations with the Newcastle board for several months but have been unable to come to an agreement, with Ba's wage demands currently the stumbling block.

That led to the latest offer - believed to have been tabled more than a fortnight ago and involving a significant pay bump for the striker - being turned down by the Newcastle forward's representatives.

That raises the possibility of Ba activating his £7.5million release clause in January, although the indications are that the player himself would prefer to stay on Tyneside, where the coaching staff are desperate to see the influential forward remain.