Players will sometimes go to extreme lengths to secure a new deal at a club, but one Chelsea star went above and beyond by offering manager Jose Mourinho a Ferrari.
Back in 2006, with Chelsea having sealed back-to-back Premier League titles under the charismatic coach, few players were looking to leave given the prospect of more medals to come.
One of those who was desperate to stay was England midfielder Joe Cole, who was an integral member of Mourinho's all-conquering side.
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During a seven-year spell with Chelsea, Cole won numerous trophies, including three Premier League titles and three FA Cups.
As one of the club's top earners in 2006, he boldly chose to splash out on the purchase of a rare new sports car - the Ferrari Scaglietti.
However, when the former West Ham United man rocked up to Cobham in the car, he was surprised to see his then manager taking a keen interest in the rare motor.
Regarding his purchase, Cole wrote in The Telegraph: "Only once in my career did I buy a flash car.
"It was a Ferrari Scaglietti, around the year 2006. I convinced myself I should have one but it did not feel right.
"The dealer said I was lucky to get it. My usual sceptical view of the world meant I did not believe him, but it turned out the model was quite rare.
"When he saw it in the car park at Cobham, Jose Mourinho offered to buy it off me."
Spotting an opportunity to get something out of his boss, Cole cheekily asked if a new Chelsea contract could be offered in exchange for the car. You can imagine how Mourinho responded.
He added: "I said I was happy to do so on the condition that he told the club to give me a new contract.
"Sadly, we never did that deal."
In a twist of irony, Mourinho would end up leaving the London club three years before Cole did, having famously clashed with the Chelsea hierarchy.
As for Cole, he'd ultimately leave Chelsea on a free transfer in 2010 having failed to secure that new deal. A forgettable spell at Liverpool would be followed by stints at Aston Villa and boyhood club West Ham; with the BT Sport pundit ending his playing career with Tampa Bay Rowdies.
The fate of Cole's Ferrari unfortunately remains shrouded in mystery.
Topics: Premier League, Chelsea, Jose Mourinho
Tom Fenton