Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has wished Demba Ba good luck ahead of his proposed move to Chelsea , insisting the striker leaves with the club's blessing.
The Senegal international has been the subject of intense transfer speculation in recent weeks, with Arsenal and Liverpool also linked with a move, but the Blues triggered Ba's £7 million buy-out clause on Wednesday.
Pardew admitted he is disappointed to potentially lose such an important player, but he is pleased the saga looks to be coming to a conclusion.