Kieran Trippier waved goodbye to Atletico Madrid supporters after almost certainly playing his last game for the club.
The England international was the last man off the pitch after Atletico beat Rayo Vallecano 2-0.
After the win Diego Simeone said: ‘You can’t hold on to anyone in life if they don’t want to stay’.
Simeone is understood to prefer Trippier staying until the end of the season but Atletico have seen an opportunity to cash in on a player who is could leave for free next summer.
‘He is an extraordinary player, ‘ added Simeone.