He seems to me a player that hit the heights then wasn't highly rated by the Prem clubs , which is why he ended up at Saints . I don't think he is interested in playing abroad and despite his outgoing persona probably is not overly ambitious person and would be happy at Saints if the financial position was sorted out . This is only my feeling based on what little we see in the media !!!
Football has a long history of clubs buying successful players then playing them in a different set up contrary to their previous set up where they thrived . A high scoring centre forward who fed off his other forward suddenly becomes a solo target man and fails to score. Likewise the high scoring forward who feeds off through balls is bombarded with high crosses and is sold on as a failure. Etc . It's not really difficult to understand but clubs still get it wrong!
It could be that apart from being an experienced professional he actually does what the Coach / Manger asks him to do so I'm all in favour of his return on the lines of Mick Channon who was brilliant at Man City and very good for Saints .