If Roberto Firmino is to leave this summer, there'll be disappointment from Hoffenheim, but no bitterness.
Those inside the Bundesliga club have conceded since the start of this season that it was a matter of when, not if, the Brazilian midfielder would be moving onto bigger things.
Last month, Manchester United, through intermediaries, made tentative enquiries about a price for Firmino.
And it broke on Sunday that the midfielder's representatives had been in Manchester last week to meet with Manchester City officials, including football director, Txiki Begiristain. It all points to Firmino jumping to a bigger stage next season.
"When you hear the prices being mentioned for him, it's crazy," smiles Hoffenheim coach Markus Gisdol. "But the market decides the price here.
"And if you have a really good player, as we do, then you seek to get the most of what the market will bear."
Gisdol is in no rush to lose Firmino, but like his board, accepts this season will be the Brazilian's last in a Hoffenheim shirt.
"Look, it's always an issue with our best players," he continued, "the speculation never leaves us.
"We don't allow it to distract us. We tackle it by making the most of him (Firmino) while he's here."
Season 2014/15 has been a breakout campaign for Firmino. He's never played better at club level and won his first caps with Brazil, so putting himself in contention for a place in Carlos Dunga's Copa America squad.
"Roberto has the eye for goal and has positioned himself well," said Dunga after Firmino's winner against Chile last month.
"He has the potential to play for a big club."
His first call-up to the Selecao was special, "it's a childhood dream come true", though also stressful as the normally reserved Firmino was bombarded by an intrigued media with questions about his life in Germany and ambitions beyond Hoffenheim.
"He speaks little and works much," laughed PSG and Brazil captain Thiago Silva.
"He is a star.
"I hope he can continue. He seems to play under a lucky star. He's always in the right place at the right time. It means his light is being allowed to shine."
Gisdol is of the same opinion. For all his natural talent, Firmino's greatest strength is his application.
"He takes each training session as if it were his last. This is the basis needed to raise a player to a new level."
That's not to say Gisdol doesn't appreciate the quality Firmino can naturally call upon.
"He just does things faster than others, because he probably has better genes or is sharper in the brain. So everything works faster for him, compared to others, and he now has the body, which we properly built with him over the last two years, to bring this all to the forefront.
"I know few quick players who can control the ball as he does. The whole package has matured."
When he talks of Firmino being the 'total package', Gisdol isn't exaggerating. Exciting, dazzling on the ball, Firmino is also a warrior when not in possession.
"He can nick the ball away from defenders," says the Hoffenheim coach, "it's something we've worked on. He works harder off the ball than when he has it."
It's that sort of complete game that has Premier League clubs eager to ferry Firmino to England this summer. Along with the two Manchester clubs, Arsenal and Liverpool have also been linked with the midfielder this season.
Keeping Firmino in Germany has also been raised, but as Horst Heldt, the Schalke sporting director, concedes, the majority of the Bundesliga face being outgunned in an open auction.
"Firmino is a class man, however, knowing many clubs are financially stronger than us, we cannot move for him. Therefore, any speculation unnecessary."
For his part, Firmino has managed to duck questions about club and league preferences, but concedes now is the right time for a fresh challenge.
"The fact is, I still have a contract until 2017, but what happens with Hoffenheim in the summer, I do not know.
"I want to develop myself and become even better. There are always things that I can improve. My main driving force is my own dissatisfaction. I do not want to stop."
