The manager of contracted Gold Coast forward Mabior Chol has confirmed "a number of clubs" are showing interest in the 26-year-old ahead of this year's trade window.
Chol, who is contracted at Carrara until the end of 2025, has emerged as a potential trade target for clubs looking to bolster their key position stocks this year, with Chol having struggled to cement his place in the Suns' senior side across their 2023 campaign.
The former Tiger enjoyed a career-best season last year - his first with the Suns - where he booted 44 goals from his 22 appearances, flourishing in the absence of the injured Ben King.
King's return this season, mixed with Levi Casboult's newfound reign in attack and Chol's form, has left the latter to spend most of the season in the VFL.
Chol played in eight games at AFL level in 2023 but remains a key piece in Gold Coast's VFL finals push, with the Suns' reserves claiming the minor premiership and are currently one win away from booking a spot in the grand final.
While noting that Chol's focus is on seeing out the remainder of the VFL season, his manager, Ashley Blair, has revealed there is interest from rival clubs.
In a statement provided toย SEN,ย Blair spoke on Chol's situation, confirming talks with the Suns will take place after the end of the club's VFL campaign.
โMabior is focusing on the VFL final series and hopefully winning a premiership with the Suns. We are aware and have been approached by a number of clubs that are interested in Mabior due to his high-end talent to see where everything sits,โ the statement reads.
โWith Mabior still being involved in the VFL finals, Mabior has not yet had his exit interview with Gold Coast, so we are not sure of the Suns' position at this stage.
โMabior still has 2 years remaining at Gold Coast and is really enjoying his time up there. However, like all players, Mabior wants to be a regular at AFL level. He demonstrated what he can do when he gets a regular opportunity at the AFL level kicking 44 goals and being the leading Suns goal kicker in 2022.
โOnce the Suns VFL campaign is finished we will sit down with Mabior and the Suns and see where everything sits but as already stated he still has two seasons remaining on his contract with the Suns.โ
Chol's potential departure comes as his old Richmond coach, Damien Hardwick, begins to settle his list for 2024.
Hardwick, who has signed with the Suns on a six-year deal, led the Tigers during Chol's first four years at Punt Road - a period where the ruck-forward amassed just 31 appearances.
The incoming Gold Coast coach has already spoken with Suns players deciding their future, with recently-signed midfielder Sam Flanders inking a four-year extension in recent days after holding talks with the triple premiership coach.
The Suns' VFL premiership run will continue next week in a preliminary final against either Footscray or Box Hill, with the 2023 Grand Final to take place on Sunday, September 24.
