Rumour: Chelsea striker Demba Ba given the green light to make Newcastle return

Will Demba Ba return to his former stomping group in the North-East?

Demba Ba could be on his way back to Newcastle in the summer after Chelsea made him available for sale as they look to bring in a more proven world class striker, according to the Newcastle Chronicle.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that at least one striker is top of his shopping list for the summer, having bemoaned his forward options on numerous occasions this season.

Having been used fleetingly all season, Ba is keen on quitting Stamford Bridge and a return Newcastle could be on the cards, with the Blues having offered him around Premier League clubs in order to make from for a marquee acquisition.

Chelsea are hoping to recoup the £7 million they paid to to bring Ba to West London 18 months ago, with the Senegalese forward having failed to have the desired effect after being cast aside upon the arrival of Mourinho after being signed by Rafa Benitez.

Newcastle will be in the market for strikers themselves in the summer transfer window, with Loic Remy and Luuk De Jong seeing their loan spells at St James’ Park come to an end and permanent deals unlikely for various reasons, leaving Papiss Demba Cisse as their only remaining striker.

The Magpies will face competition for his signature however, with Napoli, Inter Milan, Romas, Besiktas and Trabzonspor joining the Premier League scramble.