I think the latest rumours that Bournemouth were eyeing him up as a potential Solanke replacement shows you the regard he's held in elsewhere in the league. I genuinely wouldn't be surprised if that's humbled him a little bit and he does now wanna stay.
Tbf, I didn't hold anything against him for wanting out, he's been here a long time and sometimes people just need a change. As a fan as well, I get bored of the same old story with him at times; "if only he could stay fit", "not a natuaral finisher", "great player on his day but not often enough" etc...