Country: Canada
There was, they just didn't act on it and opted for different options. Might have been different if other prem teams saw him more, but you'd have to go back a couple seasons for his best football due to injuries and selection woes.
Curious about the bolded bit - I can only really think of Newcastle being in for him, which other teams were there?
As for other teams seeing him more - don't see how that can be a factor? They had plenty of opportunity to see him when he was a starter for us; he isn't some kid who has minimal exposure to the PL. It's just really odd to me that we couldn't shift this guy to a PL team this window.