Kaizer Chiefs chairman Kaizer Motaung has finally broken his silence on the tricky contracts situation at the club, but it wasn't exactly to cast light on a matter which has bred speculation for the best part of the season.

The league winners could still be faced with an exodus of effectively the spine of their team in captain and defender Tefu Mashamaite and Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, who have still not renewed contracts, which run out next month.

Added to that is the potential threat of coach Stuart Baxter, who has won four trophies with the club, leaving before the final year of his deal is up.

"You guys [the media] obviously write those things because you have to sell newspapers. But as far as we're concerned it's a work in progress," Motaung said.

"We know the intricacies of contract renewals. If I tell you we started negotiating a year ago, you won't believe it. But there's another element that plays a part, not only the player. It's what you call intermediaries, because they're no longer called agents.

"They create some of the challenges because they use tactics to get to within the last six months of the player's contracts, because then they have better leverage."

Baxter, whose contract ends next year, has also to fully commit himself, and has revealed he has had offers from clubs in other countries. "If any developments come up we will discuss them and address them with the coach," Motaung said.