Out-of-favour Bulldog Patrick Lipinski has requested a trade from the Dogs.
As first reported by The Age, Lipinski is expected to join Collingwood after notifying the Bulldogs of his decision to depart Whitten Oval.
Despite being tabled a new deal to remain at the Kennel, Lipinski is set to look elsewhere for greater opportunity, with the Magpies tipped as the 23-year-old's preferred destination.
"The Western Bulldogs have been informed by the management of Patrick Lipinski of his request to be traded to the Collingwood Football Club," a club statement reads.
"The Club’s preference is to retain Pat as a Bulldogs player into the future, and it tabled a three-year contract extension earlier this season as a show of faith in the talented 23-year-old.
"The Club will enter discussions with Collingwood during the Trade Period to work through the possibility of a suitable trade arrangement."
The Magpies will need to satisfy the Bulldogs at the trade table, but are placed with a predicament in order to see out their ideal off-season.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Collingwood currently hold picks 26, 39, 41 and 45 in this year's Draft and will need to package picks in order to land father-son prospect and highly-touted midfielder Nick Daicos.
The son of club great Peter, Daicos is set to land within the top several selections at the Draft, forcing the Magpies to bundle a number of their selections to match a rival club's bid.
The Magpies are understood to also be keen on Cats tall Nathan Kreuger, who will need to be exchanged for a draft selection as well as Lipinski.
The pair of targets could force the Magpies to move on future draft picks once again, with last season's trade period seeing Collingwood part ways with their first-round pick for the 2021 Draft.
That selection falls at No.2 in this year's count, a trade that the Magpies perhaps rue following a disappointing campaign this season.
According to The Age, the Bulldogs may drive a "hard bargain" with Collingwood in order to send Lipinski to the Holden Centre.
The Northern Knights product has played 56 games in the red, blue and white since making his debut in 2017, playing just the 11 games in 2021.