West Coast young gun and reigning number 1 Pick Harley Reid is expected to have multiple rival clubs come for his services with no news on whether he's extended past his mandatory three-year draftee contract.
Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement( (CBA), clubs were given an extra season for players selected in the top 20 picks and could not be extended until after Round 6 of the first year of that contract.
As we leave Round 8, Reid and the Eagles have yet to agree on a contract extension and Channel 9 reporter Tom Morris believes at least one Victorian club is a watch.
“Harley Reid's ok in terms of his contract,” Morris said on SEN Breakfast.
“There will be a big club that comes for him. I just want to put a watch on Essendon and a big offer.
“Just put a watch on this. I'm not saying it's happened yet, but the Bombers and Harley Reid - there's just a lot of chat about them at the moment.
“It's one to keep an eye on.”
The Bombers got to see first-hand what Reid can do on the football field, gathering 14 disposals, five tackles, four score involvements and two clearances in the Eagles' six-point loss in Perth on Saturday night.
Essendon skipper Zach Merrett and midfielder Ben Hobbs were the most recent victims of the famous fend-off, which saw the 19-year-old dismiss the pair in quick succession with the ball in hand.
Reid is from Tongala in country Victoria and history would suggest that clubs in his home state will do just about anything to lure him back.
However, Fox Footy revealed that the Eagles are "ramping up their bid to extend Reid's contract".
It is understood that the power midfielder is "happy in Perth" but is in no rush to sign an extension beyond his current three-year deal.
Reports indicated that Reid and his management have met with the club to begin talks on what the best path forward is.
The Eagles are confident they'll have the financial space to lock away the 19-year-old.