Chelsea paid over the odds for Demba Ba, it has been revealed.

The Sunday Express says Blues were forced to pay £10million to take Newcastle United striker Ba to Stamford Bridge.

Ba's advisors received a £2.5m pay-out - and it didn't come out of the £7.5m transfer fee.

Chelsea triggered Ba's escape clause of £7.5m, one which Newcastle's hierarchy made strenuous attempts to remove with talks over an improved deal, once the January transfer window opened for business.

At first the move fell down when Chelsea were made aware of the extra payment on top of the agreed fee, but the European champions, anxious to bring in support for Fernando Torres, decided to stump up more cash.