Fabio Borini insists 'anything is possible' this summer with regards his future, but the decision lies with Liverpool.
The forward has been a huge hit on Wearside, scoring crucial goals in the Capital One Cup, both Tyne and Wear derby wins, and Sunderland's amazing late dash for Premier League survival. He has enjoyed it as much as the fans, but his future remains up in the air. He told reporters:
It [his future] depends on what Liverpool say. I can't say. I can say nothing now because anything is possible.
There is a World Cup coming up so a lot depends on the national team and whether I am selected, then see what is happening.
I have enjoyed every second, not every minute. It has been great from the fans, the city and everyone in the club, the love and friendship that they give me through the season has been incredible.
It has been a great season. It was a hard season and the hardest I've ever had because we have been constantly fighting, but this builds your character.
I don't think I have spoken to a single Sunderland supporter who does not want to keep Fabio Borini at the club. He is probably my favourite ever loan signing, and I was here for Peter Beagrie. Gus Poyet would clearly love to keep him too, and has gone on record saying just as much, but is it really possible?
With successful loan signings, fans have almost accepted that it's just safer to expect nothing. It's a bit like when you've pulled completely out of your league - you know it, you accept the window to enjoy the fruits of your good fortune is very limited, and you're just waiting for everyone else involved to inevitably realise and finish it.
With Champions League football back at Anfield next season, Borini will almost certainly be needed and Liverpool will want to start seeing a return on the investment they made in him.
From Sunderland's point of view, with another significant influx of players expected this summer and the club still presumably committed to getting their finances in order, it seems unlikely there will be the cash available to stretch to one very large deal.
Borini himself is almost certainly eager to test himself at a greater level and on a bigger stage too. That is, after all, what he came back to England to do.
This season has taught us to never write anything off, but I can't help but thinking Fabio Borini on a permanent deal this summer may be one miracle too many.