Ba, who suffers from a degenerative knee condition previously failed a medical at Stoke City before being taken on by now relegated West Ham last season. On the problem, Pardew told Radio Newcastle:
“I don’t think it’s any mystery that we’re getting close to tying that up.”
“He’s a player who’s got a natural eye for a goal and my connections at West Ham, as you would imagine, are very very good and I know everything about him, and therefore I’m pretty relaxed that he’s gonna be a success at Newcastle if we can get him.”
With a note of caution though, the Cockney supremo added:
“That’s a big if at the moment because there’s some big hurdles to get across.
“There’s obviously other suitors and there is an issue about his medical and there has been in the past.
“We’ve got to overcome those things, but hopefully he can join the club. I think he’ll be a big success for us.