The three most talented players in the Premier League could all be about to jump ship. Showered with awards and internationally recognised, Wayne Rooney, Gareth Bale and Luis Suárez have lit up the Premier League but their possible transfers could take the shine off English football.
Bale has carried Tottenham Hotspur since the high profile departures of Luka Modrić and Rafael van der Vaart, Suarez arguably even more so at Anfield. Rooney has played out of position but gamely contributed under the shadow of Robin van Persie at Manchester United.
Yet all three are wantaways. Rooney has stated his unhappiness for the second time in three seasons, and isn't keen on playing under the David Moyes era at Old Trafford. Bale has been enticed by the bright lights of Real Madrid, and Suárez claims the English media are forcing him out, yet wants to move to another English club.
Despite each players' desire to leave, it is feasible they could all stay. If they do, Tottenham, United and Liverpool fans will face an interesting conundrum. How will they react? Is the betrayal too much to forget? All three clubs have been in this position before.
In 2011, Chelsea paid an English record £50million for Fernando Torres. Liverpool fans burned shirts, booed Torres and savour his profligacy. But would they boo Suárez, a player whose attitude has been far worse than the Spaniard's?
Rooney's case is not as opaque since he has already been forgiven by the majority of United fans for wanting to leave the first time. Should be be denied a move away from Old Trafford again, he will need to reproduce some of the magic which won United the league in 2011. His bicycle-kick winner against City symbolised his redemption while he hit the penalty which sealed the club's record 19th title.
However, once again he may be playing second fiddle to a certain Dutchman. His playing time, as Moyes has hinted, could be limited. If he moves to another Premier League club, a return to the Theatre of Dreams could be a nightmare.
And then there is the brilliant Bale. Some Spurs fans are already resigned to losing the Welshman, but if they can convince him to stay, the crowd will holler his name louder than before.
Whether Bale remains at White Hart Lane or not, it is only a matter of time before he moves on to bigger things and a bigger club, so pessimistic Tottenham fans would be wise to enjoy what brilliance he might yet offer in the Premier League.
One thing is for certain: even if just one of these three players depart England this summer, the Premier League will be regressing further. Last season was English clubs' worst performance in the Champions League since 1995/96, and this trend will continue for as long as the league continues to cash in on its stars.