“Our members and supporters should rest assured that we will make decisions that are in the best interests of our football club first and foremost,” Adelaide head of football Brett Burton said.
As has been reported for some weeks, Burton confirmed late on Tuesday afternoon that Lever's preferred destination is Melbourne.
He has however, also attracted significant interest from the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood throughout the season.
Burton also said the club will not simply roll over and bend to Lever's wishes, but will do what is best for Adelaide.
"We're obviously extremely disappointed that Jake has decided he wants to go back to Victoria. We'll do what's best for our club," Burton told Trade Radio.
"We knew over the last few weeks of his intentions, and only recently his intentions to go to Melbourne.
"Anyone who wants to trade for Jake Lever, we're open to having those discussions.
"Our offer was very lucrative. If we matched the offer he's got from the Demons, he would have been the highest paid at our club."
Adelaide has previously stated it will demand two first round picks for the young star.
Lever played 20 games in 2017, including the Grand Final, taking his career tally to 56 games in three seasons. He was recruited with pick No.14 from the Calder Cannons in the 2014 National Draft.