Manchester United did just that when they bought Robin van Persie from Arsenal for £22million and regained the Prem title.
It sticks in the craw of Gunners fans so much that they booed their former captain and ace goalscorer all afternoon.
And they also gave him a barrage as he came out to be greeted by the traditional guard of honour afforded champions.
Every time the Dutchman touched the ball there was more abuse. And there were plenty of hand gestures thrown in for good measure as he left the field at the end.
It says much for RVP the way he reacted when he scored the equaliser from the penalty spot on 44 minutes to cancel out Theo Walcott's second-minute opener.
RVP spent eight years at Arsenal and won one FA Cup. How could he resist when United offered him the chance to win trophies as he approaches his 30th birthday?
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger likened his desire to leave to a woman running out of time to have a baby. And Wenger knew he could not give Van Persie what he wanted.
Yet, for United, this draw means they can no longer beat, or even match, the Prem record 95 points that Chelsea racked up in 2005.
The game had a pace and intensity in the first half reminiscent of the old days when Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira were locking horns.
The hosts broke away, Tomas Rosicky slid the ball to Walcott and the England winger's shot went in off the outstretched hand of David De Gea.
Rosicky was just wide with a shot of his own from 20 yards and De Gea pushed away Santi Cazorla's effort from 25 yards.
The bookings were clocking up at a steady rate with Jonny Evans cautioned for upending Walcott, who then shoved Evans.
Van Persie thought he was in for the equaliser. He climbed to meet Nani's cross from six yards but Szczesny made himself big and the ball struck him in the face.
The Gunners' full-back gave the ball away to RVP and chased him into the box to try and redeem himself, only to slide in and concede a penalty.
United threatened to win it. Van Persie's ball across the box could not be reached by Rooney or Nani and then Rooney headed at the keeper.
ARSENAL: Szczesny 6, Sagna 4, Mertesacker 7, Koscielny 7, Gibbs 7, Arteta 6, Ramsey 6 (Oxlade-Chamberlain 6), Walcott 7, Rosicky 7 (Wilshere 7), Cazorla 6, Podolski 6 (Gervinho 6). Subs not used: Mannone, Vermaelen, Monreal, Jenkinson. Booked: Sagna, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain.
MAN UTD: De Gea 6, Rafael 6 (Anderson 6), Ferdinand 7, Evans 6, Evra 6, Valencia 6, Carrick 8, Jones 7, Nani 6 (Giggs 6), Rooney 6 (Hernandez 6), Van Persie 7. Subs not used: Lindegaard, Cleverley, Kagawa, Buttner. Booked: Evans, Jones, Rafael, Valencia, Van Persie.
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