Jetro Willems has teased Newcastle United fans with the prospect of a return to St James' Park.
The Dutch international had a loan spell with Newcastle last season, making 20 appearances in all competitions and scoring twice - against Liverpool and Manchester City.
A deal was agreed in principle to make the move permanent but the left-back suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury during the 1-0 win over Chelsea in January 2020.
That brought a premature end to the loan spell as he returned to parent club Eintracht Frankfurt as part of his recovery.
Willems is yet to return to first-team action but has been training and involved in matchday squads. He aired frustration at his lack of game time in a social media post in December.
The 27-year-old has rejected the offer of a new deal at Frankfurt and is said to be keen on a Newcastle reunion.
Agent Sigi Lens told ChronicleLive in December: "Jetro felt very comfortable at Newcastle and he said he felt like it was home, so of course he would be happy to go back if the chance came up.
"It is a great club and he had a great time in England. Newcastle were very good after the injury so it is something he would be happy with if the opportunity came up.
"He is fully fit and ready to play now."
Now a Twitter exchange between Willems and Newcastle ace Allan Saint-Maximin has set tongues wagging once again.
Willems wished Saint-Maximin a happy 24th birthday on Friday.
After Saint-Maximin thanked him for his message, a Newcastle supporter replied: "Tell Jetro we all love him."
Saint-Maximin duly obliged, telling Willems: "They love you."
In turn, Willems responded by saying: "They love us."
Tantalisingly, his tweet was followed by two emojis - a heart and crossed fingers.
This prompted a deluge of replies from more Newcastle fans.
"We really do, just come back n stay for your whole careers lads, no-one can love like the Toon Army," said one supporter.
Another tweeted: "You need to get back to the Toon bro."
Meanwhile, a third fan asked: "Why we didn't buy him in January?"
