Ashley Cole could be leaving Chelsea in a sensational £30m move to Barcelona.
The Catalan giants are on the look out for a world-class left back and Cole fits the bill.
Rumours running through the corridors of Stamford Bridge and at the Cobham training ground has Cole heading for the exit after this summer’s World Cup.
Cole 29, returned to Blues action on Sunday after a two-month lay-off.
He was excellent in the 7-0 drubbing of Stoke City.
While his return is welcome news to England boss Fabio Capello, Chelsea fans will be mortified by his loss.
The Chelsea faithful have taken the former Arsenal man to their hearts and after a controversial signing and shaky start to his Chelsea career won them over with a string of outstanding performances.
But it’s off-the-field activities culminating with the split from his wife Cheryl that may finally have persuaded Cole that now is the time to start afresh - and Barcelona are clear favourites.
Real Madrid could attempt to scupper the deal and Inter Milan might be tempted into bidding if Jose Mourinho decides to stay with the Champions League semi-finalists.
Chelsea are looking to off-load a number of highly paid squad players in the summer to generate cash for a two big-name signings and to lower the age group of the first-team squad.
Out the door will be Paulo Ferreira, Juliano Belletti, Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Ballack and Deco. While on-loan star Miroslav Stoch - currently in Holland with FC Twente is likely to be offered to the club permanently.
The most contentious losses to the club and not one of his choosing is Joe Cole.
Cole would like to stay at SW6 but Chelsea first-team coach has reduced the mercurial midfielder’s appearances of late.
Sunday was a classic case in point.
Despite Deco’s absence Cole was left on the bench replaced by Salomon Kalou.
If the Blues win at Anfield on Sunday and Manchester United lose later in the day at Sunderland then Chelsea will win their first title since the Jose Mourinho era.