The footballing world thought Daniel Sturridge was finally being handed a deserved opportunity to rediscover his best form when he sealed a late loan deal to West Brom in January.
Back in 2013/14, the English striker was on fire for Liverpool in what was his finest ever Premier League season, scoring 21 goals as the Reds narrowly missed out on the title to Manchester City.
After that campaign, he was recognised by most as one of the finest in the world but ever since, injuries have taken their toll.
Sturridge has only scored 17 Premier League goals since that remarkable season and his career has arguably fallen further while with the Baggies.
He's been on the pitch for just 77 minutes and was heartbreakingly hauled off after just two minutes against Chelsea with yet another injury - West Brom went on to lose the game 3-0.
And, it turns out his absence and lack of match fitness has really cost Alan Pardew's relegation favourites.
The Baggies agreed to pay all of his £120,000-a-week wages, as well as contributing a £2m loan fee.
Sturridge is out of contention for Saturday's game against Leicester, so when he returns versus Bournemouth in just over a week, he will have racked up a serious bill.
Over £800,000 in wages and half of his loan fee means that West Brom have splashed £433-per-second on Sturridge so far, per Daily Star.
Even in the money-crazed modern game, that figure is pretty staggering.
It was always going to be a huge risk by Pardew, a manager who actually rates him as high as Harry Kane.
"You would have to put him in the same category as Harry Kane," Pardew said. "Harry has had a great spell in terms of fitness and is at the top of his game. It's understandable that he is probably ahead of Daniel.
"But Daniel has the potential, particularly against teams I think where you need goal, where you need to break them down, he has some individual flair that not many players can match.
"So, if we can get him fit and anywhere near his best, I am sure Gareth will be taking a close look."
Yes, he did say that.