Ex-Newcastle striker Les Ferdinand has told his former club that paying over the odds to sign Jesse Lingard will be worth it if he keeps them in the Premier League.
Lingard, 29, is expected to leave Manchester United on loan this month after playing just 12 minutes of Premier League football under interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
Newcastle emerged as the frontrunners to prise him away from Old Trafford before the January transfer window closes on Monday, but talks between St James' Park chiefs and United have since hit a stumbling block.