The Toon outcast has been told he will not be allowed to leave St James’ Park on loan this winter ... UNLESS the loan switch comes with the option to buy.
Mike Ashley values Ranger at around the £1.5million mark and that has frightened off Leeds, Millwall and Blackpool, who don't have that sort of cash.
However, former Toon boss Chris Hughton is ready to solve the problem by offering to take Ranger off Ashley's hands with a bizarre "pyramid" deal.
Hughton does not have the dosh to buy the player at the moment - and as the transfer window is closed there has to be another solution.
The news from the Midlands is that Birmingham are offering to take the player on loan, and will pay £500,000 for him next summer ... but double that to £1m if they get promoted.
Ashley has made it very clear Ranger will only be allowed to leave on a temporary basis if it is certain to lead to a permanent exit.
But will Ashley cut his losses and take a gamble?
Contact with Birmingham on Wednesday’s deadline day centred around Pardew's interest in Liam Ridgewell, with Ranger thrown into the deal.
But that deal is dead and buried.
Ranger's agent Nick Rubery: “United have made it clear there will be no movement.
“It is frustrating for Nile he will not get that opportunity, but it is not up to him or us.
“He just has to get on with the situation and work hard.”