CROWD favourites Tokelo Rantie and Mark Mayambela look set to leave Orlando Pirates in the off-season.

Rantie is likely to return to his Swedish lower league side IFK Hassleholm, while Mayambela is being courted by newly promoted Absa Premiership side Chippa United.

The Cape side is also interested in Bucs left-back Lizo Mjempu.

The Buccaneers have already signed left-back Ayanda Gcaba from Free State Stars.

Sowetan learnt from a source close to Rantie's deal that Pirates' bid to keep the 21-year-old striker permanently in Mayfair after a loan spell could be scuppered by Hassleholm's "exorbitant" asking price.

"Hassleholm are pricing this boy out of the South African market and it's not fair," said the source who asked not to be named.

"We are talking about millions here. The club is trying hard, though, to reach an agreement with Hassleholm. We will see what happens in the next few days but things don't look pretty."

The source, however, would not be drawn into revealing how much Hassleholm want Pirates to pay for the player.

Pirates spokesman Mickey Modisane said the negotiations with Hassleholm were under way.

"I'm not part of the negotiations so I wouldn't know how much they are asking," he said yesterday.

Rantie endeared himself to The Ghost with his terrific form in his loan spell last season. It was this form that convinced club boss Irvin Khoza to try secure the striker on a permanent contract.

Rantie has also been noticed by other teams in Europe.

Meanwhile, United's publicist Nkosinathi Nqanda confirmed their interest in Mayambela and Mjempu.

"It is true that we have engaged Pirates in negotiation for the services of these two players. Nothing has been finalised yet but we are hopeful we will clinch a deal with Pirates," said Nqanda.

"We would be very happy if we could have Mayambela in the team because he his from here in Cape Town. Check me in a few days for developments. We could have more players from Pirates."