Chelsea triggers £7.5m release clause for Newcastle striker Demba Ba

Rafa Benitez has swooped for Newcastle striker Demba Ba.

Chelsea’s interim boss wants to seal a deal this week after triggering Ba’s £7.5million release clause.

The Senegal striker, 27, and his advisers were last night locked in talks with Blues officials.

Benitez was cagey about the deal after his side’s 2-1 win at Everton.


He said: “My job is to prepare the team, the directors will let me know. Ba plays for another club, so I don’t like to talk about it.”

Up to five family members and agents want a slice of Ba’s £2.5m share of a sale.

A source said: “Chelsea are in the box seat but dealing with the extra parts of the deal won’t be easy.”

Ba can expect an £80,000-a-week, 3½- year contract.