Newcastle Transfer News: Striker Laughs Off Exit Speculation

Demba Ba insists that he is happy at Newcastle, with the striker revealing that he found the rumours surrounding his exit from the club in January to be laughable.

Ba was connected with a wide range of clubs in the lead up to January, and had to quash rumours as a representative claiming to be in charge of the 26 year old said that Manchester United were interested in making a bid.

Tottenham were also reportedly showing interest, and Harry Rednapp commented that Ba's buyout clause was quite affordable, but the Senegal international insists that leaving Newcastle was never on his mind.

"I never talked to anyone to say I wanted to leave," Ba said, as reported by Sky Sports. "I was just listening to people saying: He's going there, he's going there, he's going there' and I had a big smile on my face. It was funny to me.

"The most important thing is being happy with your football and I am happy here."

Newcastle have been a surprise success this season, and despite the club not purchasing a striker and losing big names Joey Barton, Jose Enrique and Kevin Nolan in the summer, they have pushed for a top four spot for almost the entire campaign so far.

And with the club currently just once point of fourth placed Chelsea, Ba said that he still finds it surreal just how well the Toon are doing against the big spending clubs.

"I look at the table and think 'Fifth? Woah!" We just need to continue our road, continue doing what we're doing this season and see where we are in the end," he explained.

"We need to keep our focus but as long as we do that, we'll have some very good games. I don't want to talk about exactly where we'll finish because it depends on a lot of things but as long as we keep going we'll be a dangerous side."

Newcastle face a tough upcoming fixture in Tottenham away this weekend, and with bitter rivals Sunderland to play after the international break and a round against Wolves, the north eastern club will be on guard to protect their successful run so far in the league.