Press Association Sport understands the Magpies are close to finalising a deal for the frontman, who arrived on Tyneside yesterday.

Ba scored seven goals in 13 appearances for West Ham last season after his proposed move from Hoffenheim to Stoke fell through when he failed a medical.

However, the knee problem which so concerned Stoke did not appear to hamper him as he attempted to keep the Hammers in the Barclays Premier League.

Ba would be manager Alan Pardew's second summer signing after French midfielder Yohan Cabaye, and his arrival might go some of the way to easing the disappointment of skipper Kevin Nolan's move to Upton Park yesterday.

However, it will take further signings to placate fans disgruntled at the club's stance over the likes of Nolan and Joey Barton.

Newcastle are also closing in on Swansea full-back Neil Taylor and are actively pursuing a series of other targets with Tranquillo Barnetta, Mevlut Erding and Blaise Matuidi among the men in their sights.

But having already told Alan Smith and Nile Ranger that they can leave St James' Park, the Magpies are also ready to listen to offers for Republic of Ireland striker Leon Best.

The 24-year-old, a £1.2million signing from Coventry in February last year, scored a hat-trick in his first Premier League start for the club against West Ham on January 5, but injuries have not helped him establish himself as a genuine option.

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Former Newcastle defender Sol Campbell has expressed his surprise at the club's decision to sell skipper Kevin Nolan.

The 28-year-old midfielder joined West Ham on a five-year deal yesterday after rejecting the offer of a contract extension at St James' Park.

Asked for his reaction, Campbell told Sky Sports News: "Surprised?

"Yes, because Nobby is a very popular player up there and has done fantastically for the team, especially when they dropped down, coming up and then securing Premier League status the following year.

"He's the captain as well, so he is the figurehead at Newcastle, so it was a bit strange for him.

"I looked at the situation and it does look a little bit strange, but the business up there is slightly different."

Campbell himself will be a free agent at the end of the month after the option of a second year at St James' was not taken up.

The 36-year-old, who was signed by former boss Chris Hughton last summer, made just eight appearances.

Asked about his departure from Tyneside, Campbell said: "No comment. The fans are great. It's a fantastic club, it's a massive club and success has definitely eluded them for a long time.

"But they keep faith and they are great fans up there. The support around the north-east is second to none up and down the country.

"It would be nice for them to win something, really."

Campbell signalled his intention to undergo pre-season training with a London club with a view to putting himself in the shop window ahead of the new campaign.