NOTTS County and Andre Boucaud are ready to wait until the summer to be reunited – if a deal with Luton Town cannot be agreed this month.
Midfielder Boucaud, 28, is set to return to Kenilworth Road when his short-term loan with the Magpies ends tomorrow.
Notts want to keep him because he has been in great form in black-and-white stripes this season and he also wants to stay at Meadow Lane, but the Hatters are demanding a fee, having splashed out £25,000 to sign him from York only a year ago.
Boucaud played the last game of his loan against MK Dons on New Year's Day and insists he has no idea what the future holds for him.
"All I know is I've done what I can do on the pitch," he said.
"I've played in the majority of games and up until this month the team has been doing very well.
"I have played a part in that, so hopefully something can get sorted and I can come back.
"It's all down to the chairman and the gaffer and whether they can sort a deal out with Luton.
"They have told me I'm wanted here and it's nice to know so hopefully I can come back.
"I'm going back to Luton, but it's not really something I want to do because they didn't want me.
"I've not got anything against them, but I've been playing regularly in League One so why would I want to go back and play in the Conference?
"I spoke to the manager there a while ago and he said it's not down to him, but the chairman because of the money.
"It's out of my hands, there is nothing I can do about that."
Boucaud started 19 league games during his loan, establishing himself as a key figure in the heart of the Magpies' midfield.
Notts would love to strike a deal with Luton before their next game, which is against Portsmouth next Saturday, but boss Keith Curle says they will not pay silly money for Boucaud when they can get him for nothing in the summer.
"Everyone knows we want to keep Andre, but it might be that it doesn't happen now," he said. "It might be that we both have to sit tight for a few months and wait until the summer if Luton are not agreeable to a deal."
Boucaud says Notts would be his top choice in the summer if he does not return for the second half of this season.
"Yes, definitely," he said. "The gaffer gave me an opportunity here when no one else would so it's only right that I'd come here if there is still a deal on the table.
"I just wanted to be given a chance in the league because I always knew I could play at this level.
"Coming from non-league I'm sure everyone doubted me, including the majority of fans, but hopefully I've proved them all wrong and hopefully I'll get the chance to continue to do that.
"I came here and have done well against all the odds. I jumped up two leagues and everyone was asking why Notts signed me because I couldn't even make it into Luton's team.
"I'm just proud of myself and thankful the gaffer gave me a chance.
"He's one of the best managers I've ever played under.
"He gives us so much belief to go out and play, he doesn't put any pressure on us, he gives us freedom so it's disappointing we let him down against MK Dons.
"Losing that game was not an ideal way to end my loan, but I hope it's not the end. I hope to come back because there is so much to play for here in the rest of the season.
"We've hit a bit of a sticky patch right now, but you have got to pick yourself up and go again. It wasn't down to luck that we were up towards the top at the start of the season.
"I'm sure the club can get back up there – and I want to be here playing a part in that."