Sunderland's Luke O'Nien says he is "going nowhere" and has a "lot to offer" the Black Cats.
The 31-year-old, who joined the club in 2018, has struggled for game time this season but says he isn't concerned by links with a move in any way.
O'Nien's emphatic stance - which you can listen to on BBC Radio Newcastle here - has been championed by Lee Cattermole, but the former Black Cats midfielder warned the volatile nature of football may mean O'Nien's wishes clash with the realities of the sport.
"It's timing," said Cattermole. "He has a family. I have had a long career. Everything is rosy at the minute. Luke seems happy, he's in a good place there. I think the only way he will leave is if the club turn around and say there's no place here. At the minute everything is great. It's great to listen to what he's saying, but there has to be a reality as well.
"If he leaves the club he's going to the Championship. I think he believes he can play Premier League. I think he'll stay until the end of the season. At 31, he has a long way to wait until you go to coaching. For me, the game is so volatile that it sounded too easy to say 'I am not going anywhere'.
"The attitude is brilliant but he's 31. He believes he can get in the team and stay in the team, but that will probably take injuries.
"To see his journey with Sunderland, the biggest credit to Luke is his attitude.
"To look at a player, you have to be adaptable. The only way you can be adaptable is good attitude daily, you're fit, technically good and you take on information, listen to the coaches and what they need from you.
"Did I see him where he is now? Probably not. But it doesn't surprise me with his attitude. I am absolutely delighted for him.
"He has found his way into every manager's team, hasn't he?
"He is a great character and you can see why he'd be a manager's dream."
The 31-year-old, who joined the club in 2018, has struggled for game time this season but says he isn't concerned by links with a move in any way.
O'Nien's emphatic stance - which you can listen to on BBC Radio Newcastle here - has been championed by Lee Cattermole, but the former Black Cats midfielder warned the volatile nature of football may mean O'Nien's wishes clash with the realities of the sport.
"It's timing," said Cattermole. "He has a family. I have had a long career. Everything is rosy at the minute. Luke seems happy, he's in a good place there. I think the only way he will leave is if the club turn around and say there's no place here. At the minute everything is great. It's great to listen to what he's saying, but there has to be a reality as well.
"If he leaves the club he's going to the Championship. I think he believes he can play Premier League. I think he'll stay until the end of the season. At 31, he has a long way to wait until you go to coaching. For me, the game is so volatile that it sounded too easy to say 'I am not going anywhere'.
"The attitude is brilliant but he's 31. He believes he can get in the team and stay in the team, but that will probably take injuries.
"To see his journey with Sunderland, the biggest credit to Luke is his attitude.
"To look at a player, you have to be adaptable. The only way you can be adaptable is good attitude daily, you're fit, technically good and you take on information, listen to the coaches and what they need from you.
"Did I see him where he is now? Probably not. But it doesn't surprise me with his attitude. I am absolutely delighted for him.
"He has found his way into every manager's team, hasn't he?
"He is a great character and you can see why he'd be a manager's dream."
