Southampton fans are bracing themselves for a future without Léo Scienza at the club. Whether the Saints achieve promotion to the Premier League may not even enter into the equation.
Scienza is one of those players who is destined to play at the top level, a special player who can justify the entrance fee with a single sublime moment of skill.
The St Mary's faithful have taken Scienza into their collective hearts, and the Brazilian has repaid their faith by forming a special bond and scoring some special goals.
Five famous clubs interested in Scienza
The player has made no secret of his desire to play in the Premier League, and there is reportedly interest from several clubs. His rise has attracted attention from Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Fulham, Everton and Leeds United, with those clubs moving into deeper internal checks ahead of the summer.
Spurs have their own Premier League status to secure before they table a bid, but Scienza's success in the Championship could still encourage the North London club to try and lure the Southampton maverick away, even if they do not stay up.
It's difficult to envisage Scienza playing in a David Moyes team at Everton. The Brazilian does not have a defensive bone in his body, and that would not sit well with the Scottish taskmaster, just ask Tyler Dibling!
Aston Villa is a different proposition altogether. With Champions League football likely to be on the table, Villa Park might be an enticing proposition for Scienza. Unai Emery may be forced to replace Morgan Rogers and Jadon Sancho in the summer, meaning Scienza could fit the bill perfectly.
Fulham may not be viewed by Scienza as a significant step up from Southampton, something that could be said about Leeds United, too.
There has been reported interest from Brazilian clubs, but that seems an unlikely path for a player who has already expressed an interest in playing in the English Premier League.
Southampton are working with a €29m (£25m) release clause, a figure that sits well beyond what Brazilian clubs typically invest. Even Bahia, despite operating within the City Football Group structure, are not expected to reach that level for a single transfer.
What happens next?
Southampton are approaching a decisive period on multiple fronts. Promotion remains the priority despite the challenges the playoffs present. The promotion outcome will strongly influence their stance on key players they may want to retain for top-flight football. If they go up, keeping Léo Scienza becomes a little more realistic. If they fall short, the pressure to sell will mount.
Scienza is too good to be playing in the lower reaches of the Premier League, although he might be persuaded to spend another season at St Mary's if promotion is secured. The lure of European football might just be the tipping point. Scienza's form this season has earned him that opportunity at least.
Now, with interest also emerging from Brazil, the competition around Léo Scienza is broadening. In reality, though, the financial gap suggests those approaches are unlikely to go far, leaving English clubs and top-division European clubs in the strongest position if Southampton are forced into a decision.
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