After Monnapule Saleng's representatives released a statement for the first time, confirming a contractual dispute with Orlando Pirates, KickOff analyses five issues that could be at play.
Pirates supporters are hoping for an end to the standoff between club and player, which would see fan-favourite Saleng return to action having not kicked a ball in anger so far this year.
Option to renew
According to local reports, his contract is coming to an end in June, but the have an option to extend.
What are the terms of triggering an option on the 26-year-old's deal?
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Normally, PSL clubs insert the date to trigger the option at the latest time possible of the last year of the contract, even up to the end of May, to guard themselves against a player signing with other teams in the same season, if they don't trigger the option.
A player becomes a free agent if the club misses the date to trigger the option.
Clause on written offers
Some players' agents insist on having a clause when their client signs a deal with a club, where the club commits to releasing the player if they get an official offer from teams abroad or locally.
This is different to a release clause, which is automatic on the contract, if an interested party meets the release clause value.
Salary expectations
When Saleng's representatives negotiated salary increments terms would be important, because there could be an agreement for salary increase in certain percentages at the beginning of the contract, but the players' value could have now exceeded the value attached at the initial stages.
Or is the salary increase performance-based? If it is performance-based or appearance-based, it becomes a subjective matter on how much increase he should get.
The former Free State Stars attacker's performance dropped last season compared to when he won the PSL Players' Player of the Season award.
Legal interpretation
Two parties can enter into a contract but interpret certain clauses differently, especially towards the end of the agreement.
Player contracts may appear easy to deal with at face value, but not all players' contracts, at a particular club, are the same.
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This website can reveal that other agents and law professionals in the game are following this saga with keen interest, for learning and educational purposes.
Free agent status
With Saleng's current deal reportedly expiring in June, are his representatives on the same page with the club?
According to FIFA, a player can negotiate new employment with another club in the last six months of his contract.
We have seen a number of situations in the PSL, where players sign a pre-contract with potential club, assuming they are free agents in six months' time, only to find out later that the current club actually have an option to renew.