In what remains arguably the biggest potential deal of the AFL trade period, Carlton are bracing for an offer from Sydney for star forward Charlie Curnow.
The two-time Coleman Medal winner is contracted through to the end of 2029 with the Blues, but has signalled his interest in a fresh start.
According to SEN's Sam Edmund, Curnow met with the Cats mid-season about a potential move, and was even willing to take a pay cut to facilitate a move.
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"[Curnow] approached Geelong in May." Edmund reported on AFL Trade Radio on Monday.
"I was told over the weekend, he's being paid somewhere in the vicinity of $1-$1.1 million at the moment.
"He's willing to take a haircut to sit between $800,000-$900,000 over the next four years, so basically shelving $1 million, just to get out of Carlton and get to Geelong.
"The Cats thus far have only offered picks - we saw that three first-rounder offer last week was as good as they could do."
With Geelong seemingly unwilling to part with an established player, the Swans have emerged as a front-runner for the 28-year-old key forward.
"Sydney isn't Curnow's first choice, but he's open to it. He hasn't toured the facilities yet," Edmund added.
"They've got a willingness, Sydney, to offer players. Names don't come up by accident. Will Hayward, James Rowbottom, Tom Papley's been discussed, Ollie Florent we've known about.
"Sydney also have first rounders this year and next, so they've just got the tools and propensity, it would appear, to involve players, which has to have them at the front of the queue at the moment.
"Maybe one of one in the queue."
Carlton have been staunch in their position that Curnow isn't up for trade, but with the player clearly looking for a way out, an attractive enough package from Sydney would no doubt be considered.