The Age is reporting that Jaidyn Stephenson has met with North Melbourne about a potential move to the club.
The prospect of Stephenson departing Collingwood seemed inconceivable at the start of this season, however, due to the Magpie's much publicised salary cap squeeze, the 21-year-old's future in black and white appears in doubt.
Having won the 2018 Rising Star Award after his superb debut season, SEN's Sam Edmund reports that Stephenson signed a contract extension worth nearly $600,000 a season until 2023 with the Pies last year.
With the club desperate to remove this contract from their books, Stephenson agreed to meet with North Melbourne officials ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.
Edmund added on Wednesday morning that "the Kangaroos have committed themselves to Jaidyn Stephenson" and it is not up to him to decide whether he wants to make the move to Arden Street.
The Pies will reportedly be asked to contribute to his lucrative salary.
The AFL trade periods ends on Thursday night at 7.30pm AEST.