The horse trading is under way in Super Rugby with speculation mounting the Highlanders are about to land a new All Black.
Although Highlanders chief executive Roger Clark declined to comment, there is talk the Highlanders are trying to entice prop Karl Tu'inukuafe south to the franchise.
Tu'inukuafe has been a rags to riches story this year, having come off the bench for the All Blacks in the just completed series against the French.
Tu'inukuafe was a star at school but his weight ballooned after leaving school and at one stage he was 170kg.
He got back into rugby in response to a warning from his doctor to get active or face the consequences. He made the injury-hit Chiefs at the start of the season and made such an impression he won a black jersey last month.
When asked, Clark said he had no comment concerning Tu'inukuafe. This time of year, with the playoffs not far rapidly approaching, and players considering their futures, is always busy as teams finalise squads for the following year.
There is a vacancy in the Highlanders front row as the little used Guy Millar is heading to French club Biarritz after two seasons with the franchise.
He will join the same club as former Otago loose forward Adam Knight.
The biggest question for the Highlanders for next season is at first five-eighth - Lima Sopoaga is heading to England after eight seasons with the Highlanders.
Clark said he had full faith in the two first five-eighths they have signed for next season - Josh Ioane and Bryn Gatland.
He said those two players would both be running the cutter for their Mitre 10 Cup sides and showed they had the capability at the next level.
The Highlanders still have to sign a third first five-eighth and are said to be in the hunt for an experienced pivot.
But they are thin on the ground so the Highlanders may look to the likes of Ioane and Gatland to steer the ship. Fletcher Smith, who is still on the Highlanders' books until the end of this season, is a contender for that third spot.