Alan Pardew has launched a shock bid to bring Demba Ba back to Newcastle, the Daily Mail reports.

Newcastle are keen to seal a season-long loan for the Senegal international striker, just seven months after selling him to Chelsea for £7million after the London club activated a release clause in his contract.

The two clubs are in talks over the prolific 28-year-old, who scored 29 goals in 54 games during a successful 18-month spell on Tyneside.

Ba has scored six goals in 23 appearances for Chelsea, but has been told he isn’t guaranteed a regular starting role under new manager Jose Mourinho.

He will be pushed further down the pecking order if, as expected, Chelse complete the signing of Samuel Eto’o

Newcastle could face competition from Qatar side Al-Jaish in their bid to team Ba up with Senegal team-mate Papiss Cisse for a second time.

The striker’s £70,000-a-week wages are likely to be the major stumbling block, but Pardew is desperate to bring in additional firepower before Monday night’s transfer deadline.

Newcastle’s only summer signing is striker Loic Remy on a season-long loan from QPR - and he has yet to make his debut because of a calf problem.

Pardew hasn’t given up hope of resurrecting a £7m move for Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis, and the clubs have re-opened talks on the drawn-out deal.