Coldplay’s Chris Martin surprised many when he touched down in Tel Aviv and, with his unexpected arrival, kick-started the rumor mill that a local concert may be on the horizon.

According to Hebrew media, the British singer-songwriter arrived in Tel Aviv yesterday for one of two reasons: some gossip columnists say he’s in town for a private visit, others say he came for advance talks with local producers.

Semi-informed sources say #ChrisMartin of @coldplay is in #Israel to visit site and sign deal to perform at #Masada next October.

— David Brinn (@davidbjpost) November 21, 2016

Over the years, concert promoters have tried time and again to secure a Coldplay concert in Israel. Some reports say the band has been offered as much as $5 million for a one night show.

Coldplay’s latest album has Israeli creativity behind some of its best music videos. Earlier this year, directors Vania Heymann and Gal Muggia picked up an MTV Video Music Award for best visual effects award for their work on the Coldplay song “Up&Up.”

And the Yaron Yashinski Studio of Tel Aviv provided visual design and animation for “Hymn for the Weekend.”

(via Israel21c)

[Photo: Carl Nenzén Lovén / Flickr ]