Mark Noble insists West Ham must do everything they can to keep star man Dimitri Payet at the club beyond the January transfer window.
West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan said in November he had no intention of selling Payet in the New Year, despite the influential midfielder hinting he could be open to leaving the Hammers.
Despite conceding anything could happen during the transfer window, Noble said he would not be surprised if the 29-year-old was still at West Ham come February 1 and stressed he was too important for the club to lose.
"In football, you never know what's going to happen. I don't care what anyone says, in football money does talk, whether that's for the club, in transfer fees, or incredible wages in this day and age," the West Ham captain told Sky Sports News HQ.
"But I wouldn't be surprised if Dimi is here by the end of January. You need special players to do special things at moments and he's done that on untold times last season.
"Even against Middlesbrough this year with the solo goal he scored and the free-kick the other night (v Liverpool), he's a massive player for us and we must do everything to keep him at the football club."
Payet has been a stand-out performer for West Ham since arriving from Marseille for £10.75m in June 2015, scoring 15 goals in 54 appearances, and was rewarded with a new five-and-a-half year deal in February.
The Frenchman is likely to start West Ham's crucial clash against Burnley at London Stadium on Wednesday, with Slaven Bilic's side in desperate need of points.
West Ham sit in 17th place, just a point above the relegation zone, and are without a win in their last six Premier League matches, leading to speculation over Bilic's future at the club.
But, after Sunday's morale-boosting 2-2 draw at Liverpool, Noble gave his backing to his manager and insisted he remains the right man for the job.
"He knows what the fans are like, he knows the football club inside out, so he probably takes it (poor form) a bit personal as well," Noble said.
"We don't just go out and forget about the result, I can't really enjoy the week unless we've won.
"For the last 12 years, if we haven't won on the Saturday, I've got the hump all week. He probably feels the same way I do. If there's anyone to lead this football club, it's Slaven."