Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has made Loic Remy his main target to replace Demba Ba at St James’ Park according to The Journal.

Ba officially joined Chelsea yesterday after the West London club enforced the Senegalese striker’s £7.5million buy-out clause in his Toon contract.

Newcastle will be desperate to replace their departing top scorer as the club sit just two points above the relegation zone following a poor first half of the season.

This time last year Pardew added Pappiss Cisse to his squad and the striker hit the ground running in the Premier League, so a similar signing is going to be needed in the North East this year.

Remy is one of three players that Pardew and his scouts have found to replace Ba but it is thought that the Marseille man could be the one to arrive.

The French international has failed to force his way into the Marseille side this season and is reportedly available for anywhere between £10million and £15million this January.