The horse-trading in South African football has begun ahead of the next season, with not just players but also club franchises going to the highest bidder.
Bloemfontein Celtic, one of the country's most iconic and well-supported sides is the latest to be under threat, and there is the very real chance that by the start of the new season it will cease to exist.
Already National First Division side Cape Town All Stars have sold their status to the owners of Swallows FC, the new incarnation of another famous South African brand, Moroka Swallows.
The Birds had slipped from the Premier League to the third tier with successive relegations, and have now bought themselves up a level having failed to win promotion from the ABC Motsepe League last season.
The deal awaits Premier Soccer League approval, but it appears a fait accompli.
There are rumours that another NFD side, Stellenbosch FC, have been sold as well, though as with anything to do with that club, the deal appears shrouded in secrecy.
The sale of top-flight Platinum Stars to a consortium fronted by the club's current coach, Roger de Sa, will see that side relocated to the Western Cape -- either Cape Town or Stellenbosch -- ahead of next season, whether they stay in the top-flight or not.
But it would be the sale, and possible relocation of Celtic away from the Free State, that would send the biggest shockwave through South African football.
The club has had a rollercoaster ride in its 49-year history and had modest success on the trophy front with three pieces of silverware, the last the 2012 Telkom Knockout.
But they are an institution in Bloemfontein, comparatively well supported in the stands and a club that has helped develop a number of top PSL stars.
Owner Max Tshabalala has threatened to sell in the recent past, but this time appears serious as he admits he cannot keep up with the running costs of the team.
Tshabalala, who is reportedly asking for R65-million for the club's top-flight status, admits that for now it looks as though the club will be exiting the province.
"At the moment we have three offers on the table and they are from outside the province," Tshabalala told Sowetan. "I pray that I can get an offer from the province because at the moment I have nothing.
"If I sell to someone from outside I cannot impose a clause that the club must remain here, no. Unfortunately, once a club is sold, then it would be up to the new owners to take the club forward."
Tshabalala maintains that he will try to do what is best for the club.
"I have an offer that is very lucrative but I have shelved it for now to await an offer from home. I have the best interest of the club at heart," he said.
"This club has a rich history and has never changed its base and we want it to continue being the Celtic that we know and love."
Celtic players went on strike last season over unpaid signing-on fees, while there have also been reports in recent days that coach Veselin Jelusic has not been paid his full salary for the last two months.
Tshabalala does not deny that there is a cash crunch and has relaid that message to supporters in a meeting this week.
"I informed them that I do not want a repeat of the situation we had last season of not being able to pay players' signing-on fees on time. Being without a sponsor, it's not easy and I had to take money from my other businesses to fund the club."