Boyhood Sunderland fan Marcus Maddison is set to become a free agent in the summer with Hull City unlikely to make his loan deal permanent.
The former Newcastle United player has long been tipped with a move to the Stadium of Light.
The Peterborough United forward signed a six-month loan deal with the Tigers in January after turning down approaches from Championship rivals Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic.
Hull drafted in the 26-year-old as a late replacement for Jarrod Bowen and Kamil Grosicki, and he made seven appearances before the season was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Tigers are understood to hold a first option on Maddison whose deal is due to expire on June 30. However, the Championship outfit are not expected to look to make the deal permanent.
Maddison's time at the Posh also looks over, with the club confirming manager Darren Ferguson does not want the 26-year-old involved at the Weston Homes Stadium.
Peterborough's director of football Barry Fry told the Peterborough Telegraph: “I’ve spoken to Grant McCann (Hull manager) and told him we would have no objections to Marcus staying at Hull for however long it takes to complete the season.
“Our manager doesn’t want him here.”
