There could be a stumbling block for Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns in their efforts to acquire Stellenbosch FC defender Ismael Toure, which gives Kaizer Chiefs an advantage. But at what cost?
Toure attracted interest from the Big Three during off-season, after a stellar campaign with Stellies, where he played a big role in the Carling Knockout triumph and qualification for the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time.
Chiefs appeared to be front-runners for his signature, despite criticism that they rejected the Ivorian on trial six years ago.
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However, the Glamour Boys had apprehensions over a reported R10 million price tag on the services of the 26-year-old.
Pirates and Sundowns remained keen and discussions with the Cape Winelands outfit over Toure were not far off, after they signed Deano Van Rooyen and Iqraam Rayners respectively.
Steve Barker suggested it was not their intention to sell their best players and that the club's hand was forced somewhat, with Van Rooyen snapped up after he was left with only one year on his contract, which means the Western Cape side could have lost him for free at the end of the season, if they did not cash in.
The Brazilians, on the other hand, triggered a release clause in Rayners' contract to prize him away from the Cape.
The head coach's decision to play Van Rooyen in the MTN8 quarter-final win over TS Galaxy, in the last five minutes, drew criticism after 'DVR' was cup-tied in the tournament following his switch to Bucs just a week later.
Toure is one of the players who would be cup-tied in the MTN8, despite interest in his services, and although he was initially left out of the squad that played in the CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round, with a potential deal possible, he started in the 2-0 win over AS Vita, in the second preliminary round, first leg.
The ex-Marumo Gallants centre-back featuring in the CAF Confed Cup means he would be cup-tied in CAF tournaments, should he make a switch to either Pirates or Sundowns.
With the PSL transfer window closing on Friday, Toure looks increasingly likely to stay at Stellenbosch, at least until another transfer window, as Bucs and Downs would not be able to use him in the CAF Champions League, coming with such a high price tag.
Meanwhile, most of the European transfer windows have closed.
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"Toure, I think, [in] my opinion, is the best centre-back in the country by a long mile. To have him and see him in these types of games, one could see the presence that he has and the quality that he has," Barker said in the post-match press conference after their win over Vita.
The only other big opportunity for the lanky player would be to move to Amakhosi in the remaining days, but Stellies would have to lower their asking price significantly, which is unlikely.