Newcastle United striker Demba Ba has refused to renegotiate his contract.

The Mirror says Ba has left his long-term future at Newcastle in doubt by not renegotiating his contract.

The 16-goal striker has a release clause in his current deal that allows clubs to snatch him for £7million.

Newcastle have been unsuccessful in attempts to shore up the problem by getting Ba to accept an improved deal, without the clause.

That leaves Ba still vulnerable to rival clubs poaching him on the cheap, although the Senegal ­international has never given an indication that he is considering leaving.