Former Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock hopes the "penny has dropped" with Djed Spence thanks to a conversation they had prior to the player's loan move to Nottingham Forest.
Spence joined the Reds at the end of August 2021 on a season-long loan and has left a long-lasting impression on fans at the City Ground.
His performances have been of such a high quality that there are a number of potential suitors wanting to gain his talents.
Clubs at home and abroad have been eyeing him up, with the likes of Arsenal, Leeds United, Brentford, Southampton, Roma and Inter Milan all linked.
Given he has already represented Forest and Boro this term, he would be prevented from representing a third team.
Speaking on Sky Sports this afternoon, Warnock discussed his relationship with Spence before his loan exit to Trentside.
He said: "He had to leave Boro for his own good. I didn't have a problem on the pitch with him. His attitude was never in doubt and his playing performances too, but I've never had so many one-on-one chats with someone in my career.
"I said to him he had to decide. He's got so much ability but he let himself down here and there.
"So he had to go out, but he's done really really well for Forest. I hope the penny dropped and he remembers our conversation."
"You can see the ability he's got," Warnock, who left Boro in November, added.
"I'm not sure that it would be the same in a back four. He has to have the freedom to bomb on as a right wing-back."
Fellow Sky Sports pundit David Prutton added: "He is certainly a player who can affect a game of football; Nottingham Forest fans love him.
"It's perhaps a surprise that [current Boro manager] Chris Wilder didn't want him back, but maybe that's a reflection of what you are saying.
"Not necessarily someone else's problem but a player who can very much bring something attacking for Nottingham Forest."
