Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has urged Demba Ba to take up their new contract offer.
Pardew knows that Ba could walk away at any time, with the dangerous £7.5million clause in his contract leaving United vulnerable on the opening day of the January window.
He said: "In some respects, I feel a little bit sorry for Demba, because I think people who are representing him aren't actually representing him.
"There are people out there who are saying this who aren't actually involved or want to be involved, and that's the sort of world we are in.
"The contract is what it is - we're all aware of that - and for me as the manager I need it resolved as quickly as possible.
"That's the best situation for our fans and for the club.
"The situation with that is that it's getting close to the point where we say 'no more' - but the offer is still there."