Collingwood is open to parting with young forward Jaidyn Stephenson during the upcoming trade period, according to AFL Media's Damian Barrett.
Stephenson burst onto the scene in his rookie year in 2018, booting 38 goals in Collingwood's grand final campaign to claim the Rising Star Award.
He fell out of favour of Nathan Buckley's side this year and looked devoid of confidence - kicking 14 goals from as many games.
The Magpies face a defining off-season, with the club still needing to re-sign Jordan De Goey and Brody Mihocek, while Adam Treloar and Tom Phillips have both linked to trade talks.
Speaking on AFL Trade Radio,ย Barrett believes Stephenson is also on the trade table.
โThere is a lot going on behind the scenes regarding Jaidyn Stephenson,โ he said.
โHeโs got a long-term contract to the Pies, certainly for two or three more years, but the Pies are also open to him not being part of their mix from next season onwards.
โItโs now official there is all sorts of stuff going on behind the season, they won a final, beat West Coast, went out, finished top six, but clearly whatโs been going on has been something that will be one of the headlines of the 2020 trade period.
โThe Jaidyn Stephenson one has come to light in the last 24 hours, we know thereโs been issues off the field, he also went in 2020 with a glandular fever ailment, but it wasnโt a great year for him โฆ this is a man who put together one of the great first seasons of footy in 2018.
โAs I said a few moments ago I can tell you that the Pies, the default position is heโs a contracted player, but I can tell you the Pies are open to moving him out as well as part of what they do in 2020.โ
BREAKING.
"There is a lot going on behind the scenes with Jaidyn Stephenson. The Pies are open to him not being part of their mix from next season onwards. There is all sorts of stuff going on with Collingwood ahead of the trade period"
— AFL Trade Radio (@traderadio) October 30, 2020
The 21-year old is contracted until the end of 2021 season.
The AFL trade period runs from November 4-12.