Essendon list manager Adrian Dodoro has spoken out on the ongoing negotiations with the Western Bulldogs and Josh Dunkley, stating the situation is "an awkward one".
Dunkley is believed to have told senior figures of the Bulldogs that he desires to be traded to the Bombers despite being contracted for a further to years at the kennel.
The Bombers have confirmed their interest in the 23-year-old, with reports suggesting the club have also looked to lure Kyle Dunkley, the brother of Josh, to Bomberland in an attempt to sweeten the deal.
Speaking on AFL Trade Radio, Dodoro said discussing the negotiations with the Bulldogs is a tricky situation.
“This is an awkward one. When you’re dealing with another contract player from another club it makes it hard to comment,” Dodoro said.
“Yes, we do have an interest in Josh and we respect he has a two-year contract with the Bulldogs to go. Yes, we’ve had preliminary chats with the Bulldogs.”
The Bombers currently hold picks 7 and 8, with Dodoro explaining discussions between the two clubs haven't progressed far enough to discuss a swap deal.
“To be honest, we haven’t got to that point," he said.
"The Bulldogs now are pretty resolute they want to keep Josh. That’s our understanding as well (that he wants to come). We are certainly asking the question and we will over the trade period. I wouldn’t say discussions are coming at any rapid speed.”
At the other end of the table are the Bulldogs, with list manager Sam Power stating the club believe Dunkley will be at Whitten Oval next year.
“Essendon clearly have interest in him,” Power told the club's website.
“From our end, Josh is such a valuable member of the club and the team. He’s in the leadership group, he was second in our best and fairest last year (2019) and is a fantastic player.
“Josh is someone we see being at this football club for a long period of time. He’s someone we want to keep at this football club.
“Josh has been up in Queensland since the end of the season and he got back to Melbourne yesterday.
“We’ve had conversations with him over the last few weeks, just reiterating how important he is to us and that we see him here as a long-term player.
“We want him as part of the Western Bulldogs Football Club.”