Demba Ba slams speculation that he will leave Newcastle

The Senegalese striker has a release clause in his contract until July 31 stating that he can be bought for as little as 7 million pounds.

Demba Ba has slammed talk that he may quit Newcastle United this summer, following renewed speculation about his future.

Ba appears to be edging towards committing his future to the club after rumors had linked him with a possible move to Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur or Turkish giant Galatasaray.

A release clause in his contract of just 7 million pounds is still active until July 31, but speaking after Newcastle's shock 1-0 defeat to Chemnitzer FC on Friday night, Ba told the Evening Chronicle: “What can I say? They [the Magpies fans] see me on the pitch in a Newcastle shirt – that’s my message to them.

“In the papers there’s been a lot of c**p!

“Like I said I said on Twitter, it’s just rumors. People talk, but what I can say is that none of the teams that have been talked about have approached me. I’m still a Newcastle United player.”

Ba enjoyed a stunning start to last season, and despite a loss of form in the latter half of the campaign, owing perhaps to his strike partner Papiss Cisse's sensational form, he still ended up as the club's 16-goal top scorer.

The 27-year-old wants to carry on this form personally and collectively into next season and insists that he is loving life on Tyneside.

He said: “Life is brilliant – I always have a smile on my face. That’s how I am.

“Football is my job, but it’s also a lot of fun for me. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t do it. I enjoy putting on a black and white shirt.

“I don’t set targets, I just always try to do better than the season before. For the collective, it would be good if we could achieve something great.

“Most important is being in the Europa League, and doing something great in that competition.

“If we add a couple of players to the squad, then I think we’ll be OK.”

Reflecting on Friday's surprise defeat in Germany, Ba didn't appear overly fussed and instead concentrated his thoughts towards competitive football next season.

He added: “This season, if we can be around the places we were last season, it will be great.