Newcastle United midfielder Jack Colback has one more year on his contract ... but can they off-load him?
The 29-year-old is wanted by Nottingham Forest but they don't seem to want to cough up good money for him.
But as his loan spell with the Reds approaches its end, what are the chances of Martin O'Neill securing Colback permanently?
Back in February, O'Neill declared his interest in making Colback's move permanent by promising fans he would assess his options.
When asked if he was keen to guarantee the services of one of Forest's better players in Garibaldi for next season, the answer was a resounding yes, but he admitted nothing is concrete.
"I think the opinion that he has been one of the better players this season is pretty well the same thought around the dressing room as well," said O'Neill.
"In terms of long-term future, it is really early for me to be deciding these things.
"I am not exactly sure, to the nth degree, what the agreement is with Newcastle. I will certainly have a look at that.
"I have not got into the contractual details of his situation, but I will look at this situation in the near future."
Colback is reportedly earning £50,000 a week at St. James' Park, which could prove to be a real stumbling block for the Reds.
O'Neill said: “I think that I would, along with the fans, think exactly that – it would be great to see him stay, if we can muster something.
“Our relationship is good, I had a good experience with him at Sunderland,” he said.
“When he came in there, we really hit the ground running and I have some good memories from that.
“With Aitor (Karanka) I was more of a holding midfielder, which I did not mind at all. I feel as though I can do a decent job there; it is a role that I know well.
“With the gaffer now, he has had Ben Watson holding and then Pele holding and it gives myself and (Ryan) Yates, at the minute, the freedom to get forward.
“I have had more opportunities to get into the box and the more time you spend there, the more chances you are likely to have to get a goal or two.
“If you ask me if I would like to come back and sign permanently, the answer is ‘yes’.
“It is not as easy as that in football. Forest themselves have to commit to a permanent deal. Then you have to work out that deal.
“It is not as straightforward as a ‘yes’ or ‘no’."
Colback: “It just depends. That is something that can quickly be taken out of your hands. It is one of those things – football can change quickly. We will see what happens.
“But my aim is to win promotion and, yes, I would love to play here in the Premier League.
“I would be happy if it did turn out that way; if I did end up playing in the Premier League with Forest.
“My situation at Newcastle looks pretty bleak, with Rafa (Benitez). That is one of those things.
“I am not too fussed about that, but it was disappointing with the way it ended, with Newcastle being my hometown club. But that is football.
“Obviously the aim is to get Forest promoted. Then we will see.
“If the (Newcastle) manager comes calling and wants to take me back there, we will cross that bridge when we come to it. But we are a long way off that just yet. We will keep calm for now.”