Hull City have confirmed the release of striker Will Keane, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Portman Road.
The Tigers had an option to keep the former Manchester United trainee for a further season but decided not to take it up meaning the 26-year-old is now available on a free transfer.
Keane joined Town in January and scored three goals in nine starts and two sub appearances but spent much of his time in Suffolk on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.
But despite the injury, manager Paul Lambert has said he’d like the Mancunian, who recently switched international allegiance to the Republic of Ireland, to join his squad on a permanent basis if it was possible.
"I don’t know, again the money side of it plays a big part, there’s no getting away from that. There’s got to be a realistic view to it,” the Blues manager said last month when quizzed on the chances of Keane signing in the summer while the former England U21 international was out with his injury.
"I don’t need to see Will any more times, I know exactly what he can do. I saw him before in previous years, I know exactly what he can do.
"I know he’s had his injuries from the past and the bad one with his knee and he’s picked up a hamstring problem with us.
"I go back to it, I don’t know what he’d done before [he came to Town], how fit he was before, but one thing is for sure, I know he was playing really well here when he did get injured and he scored three goals and losing him was a blow because he was playing really, really well and scoring.
"Will, he doesn’t need to prove anything to me, I know what he can do. I know Marcus is talking to his agent, so let’s see.”
Asked whether it was a deal he’d like to do if it could be done, he added: "I think he’d be great for us, yes. I think he’d be great.”
Speaking in January, Keane said he’d be interested in a permanent move to the Blues even if they were in League One.
"Yes, definitely. I’ve been really impressed by the size of the club and all the facilities — training ground and stadium — as well as the fans,” he said.
"You can see it’s a great set-up and something I’ve really enjoyed being a part of so far.
"I’m enjoying it here and feeling settled. I’ve moved into a place in the last couple of weeks, which has been nice, and the lads have been telling me about a few nice places to go.
"I’ve also got my partner and our baby here now so that always helps as well.”
Town are already on the verge of completing the signing of Tranmere striker James Norwood on a free transfer but Lambert will be looking to add more than just one frontman to his squad this summer.
That could see one or more of the strikers already at the club depart. We understand Blackburn Rovers showed interest in both Ellis Harrison and Kayden Jackson in January which could well be revived over the summer.