Ba To Make Hammers Return?

Ba To Make Hammers Return?

West Ham United are considering a bid to bring Demba Ba back to Upton Park on loan, after the Senegalese failed to secure regular first team football after his winter switch from Newcastle United to Chelsea.

The Blues are planning mega moves in this transfer window, and Jose Mourinho will have to make big decisions about who to let go from the squad that he takes over this summer. Strikers like Ba, Victor Moses and Fernando Torres provide a high wage bill, but no appearances on the pitch, and Mourinho will have to sell or send players on loan to balance the books at the club.

Ba was brought to England by West Ham after his impressive spell at German club Hoffenheim. The striker struggled with knee problems which were highlighted during his alleged move to Stoke City, which fell through because of a reported failed medical. West Ham then signed the striker on a pay-as-you-play basis, and Ba impressed, scoring 7 goals in 12 appearances for the London club. Then Newcastle came calling, and Ba was on his way to the North-East of England, where he developed a cult hero image.

However, two years later, Chelsea triggered the much publicized buyout clause in Ba’s contract at Newcastle, and bought the striker for a fee in the range of £7 million. The Senegalese scored 2 goals in 14 Barclays Premier League appearances for the club, but could not surpass the Stamford Bridge faithful standards.

With Mourinho’s arrival, Ba’s future at the club remained a doubt, and there has been heavy media attention to where the 28-year old will ply his trade next season. There were rumors of a return to Newcastle, and now West Ham have been linked with a move.

The Hammers are already in talks with former Newcastle hero Andy Carroll, who’s successful loan spell at Upton Park prompted boss Sam Allardyce to sign him on a permanent deal. An offer is believed to be on the table for Carroll, which could be confirmed by next week.

Ba and Carroll could pose a threat together to the opposition, and that potential partnership suggests why Big Sam is bidding for the Senegalese.