Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw said her "home is in Manchester" when asked about her Man City future on Saturday.
Shaw scored two goals in a thumping 4-1 victory over West Ham to take her personal goal tally to 21 for the season, and became a WSL champion for the first time.
Speculation over Shaw's future has been rife for some time. The forward's contract expires this summer and despite negotiations taking place over a number of months, no agreement has been reached.
But hopes of a change of heart linger. City captain Alex Greenwood has spoken publicly of her desire to see the club's No 9 U-turn on her decision to seek a new challenge. Head coach Andree Jeglertz has strongly echoed that sentiment, calling this year's Golden Boot winner a "great player but also a great team-mate."
So, what does Shaw herself think?
"I've always said Manchester is my home, it's where I want to be, but there's a lot of things which go on behind the scenes which I won't talk about now but I've always been proud of all the girls and everything," she told Your Site on Saturday.
"Manchester is where I would want to be, but ultimately we'll see."
Perhaps there is another chapter to be written yet. Shaw's 21 goals in 22 starts has seen her become the WSL's leading scorer for the third consecutive season. She is one of only two forwards in league history to record two 20+ goal campaigns.
"My first WSL trophy," she continued. "A lot of emotions, it's been a long season, grind, hard work. We have ups and downs, but we live for these and I can't wait to celebrate.
"I just want to enjoy today. It's been a long season, I've always tried to do the best I can, the players I have around me make me look good."
Shaw's scoring exploits, over 100 WSL goal involvements since joining City in 2023, have drawn significant attention from clubs all over Europe and further afield. Chelsea are said to be leading the race to sign her despite conceding their title to City. They only managed a third-place finish this year, their lowest position since 2018/19.
The Jamaican international, still only 29, also scored twice against Chelsea to send her side to the FA Cup final in two weeks' time - another reminder, if it was needed, of her unrivalled class in big moments against the top teams.
Your Site' Izzy Christiansen:
"I'm sure Man City are doing everything they can to retain Bunny Shaw. We're in a day and age where there is more money in the game.
"Man City will stick by their club model, they believe in it, and of course they will want to keep her, but if she doesn't stay they have got ready-made replacements.
"There is an exciting market out there in Europe. Young strikers coming through. There are exciting academy players. At Man City, either way they are safe.
"I think the best place for her to win things is at Manchester City, I really do, the connections she has, but you've got to respect what she wants to do. It's her choice. And Man City are well placed to replace her."
