Alan Pardew believes the people surrounding Demba Ba are the ones taking him astray, while the manager hinted at the imminent signing of Lille right-back Mathieu Debuchy.
Ba's representatives are trying to manufacture a lucrative move to another club in the January transfer window.
Interested parties only need to stump up £7 million ($11 million) to trigger the release clause, leading to much speculation about the striker's impending departure. The forward has been linked with moves to Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Paris Saint Germain.
Ba is Newcastle's leading scorer this season, and the Magpies are desperate to keep hold of their asset, but Pardew believes there are other forces at work beyond his control.
"In some respects, I feel a little bit sorry for Demba as well because I think people who are representing him are not actually representing him," the Newcastle manager said.
"There are people out there who are saying this who are not actually involved or want to be involved, and that's the sort of world we are in.
"The contract is what it is, we are 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."
Newcastle have made an offer to the 27-year-old, which he is yet to accept, and Pardew insisted the new contract, without a release clause, would not be up on the table for an indefinite period.
"The situation with that is that it's getting close to the point where we say 'no more,' but the offer is still there."
However, a player that is expected to wear the black and white stripes at St James' Park is Debuchy, with Newcastle reportedly agreeing a fee with Lille for the French international. When asked about the deal, Pardew admitted he was looking at defensive reinforcements.
"Defensively we are so short, we need some defenders and that's what I've given my message to the board here," he said.
"They've got that loud and clear. I think we hope to see somebody sooner or later."
