Genk's Belgian international striker Jelle Vossen has opened the door to a move away from the club, potentially with the view to a return to loan club Middlesbrough, where he spent last season.
The popular forward was lured to Teesside by a viral social media campaign of the hashtag "#FreeJelleVossen" set up by Middlesbrough fans, and the similar "#KeepJelleVossen" surfaced almost as soon as the season ended.
In the immediate aftermath of Boro's play-off final defeat to Norwich City at Wembley, Vossen thanked the club's supporters and has made no secret of his desire to return to the Riverside.
“I’ve loved my time at Middlesbrough every day," Vossen told The Gazette. "Everyone’s been really nice and it’s been an amazing season. I just want to leave all options open.
“I think it’s a dream for every football player to play in England so I’d love to come back, but it’s not all up to me.”
And now, incoming Genk manager Peter Maes says that he expects the forward to leave the club this summer - though he would love the former club captain to stay.
“If there is no breakthrough then I expect him to be at the club,” Maes told Belgian news site HLN.
“I do expect a breakthough, Jelle himself has made it clear that his future lies elsewhere.
“If not, I would welcome Jelle with open arms.”
Despite the forward's popularity at the club, it is still unclear as to whether manager Aitor Karanka will make a move as he looks to rebuild a squad somewhat depleted by outgoing loan players.
Though many at the club admit that the 26-year-old was unlucky, he would have to convince club chiefs that he could improve on his slightly disappointing tally of just nine goals for the season.
Boro did have a first-refusal option on the forward which they allowed to expire during the season due to uncertainty over what league they would be playing in and worries over the size of Vossen's price tag.
For now, expectant Boro fans may simply have to hope that Vossen's wantaway nature at the club will help to drive his price down as the club looks to build for a second shot at Premier League promotion.
Meanwhile, the club has also played down links with on-loan Leeds United defender Sol Bamba, with a "senior source" at the Riverside assuring local paper The Gazette that the club has no interest whatsoever in the player.