Eagles face squeeze as midfielder is reportedly offered "significant pay cut"

West Coast remain to have several key names currently out-of-contract.

EDITOR | September 8, 2021 - 11:17am

West Coast gun Jack Redden will need to take a "significant pay cut" to remain at the Eagles in 2022.

The 30-year-old has reportedly been offered a slashed one-year deal to extend his stay in the blue and gold for a seventh season, reports 7 News' Ryan Daniels.

The offer is believed to be south of what Redden would be able to attain elsewhere, with West Coast feeling the pinch of their current financial situation.

Jack Redden has been offered a 1 year deal - but at a very significant pay cut.

Still likely to stay at @WestCoastEagles if minor details can be sorted.

Been a strong contributor since arriving, a lot of role sacrifice on his part.

Covid realities hurting salary cap for clubs.

— Ryan Daniels (@FootyRhino) September 7, 2021

The club bid farewell to Brendon Ah Chee, Mark Hutchings and Nathan Vardy this week, with the latter calling time on his career.

It is understood that Vardy and the Eagles were both keen to continue their partnership, however the former Cat was unable to fit into the club's budget for next season, according to Daniels.

Vardy's exit and Redden's current contract conundrum have opened up some concern for the Eagles, who currently have a number of key names unsigned for next season.

While jet defender Liam Duggan is tipped to be nearing a new deal, veteran duo Josh Kennedy and Shannon Hurn are yet to know where their future lies for 2022.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Josh Kennedy of the Eagles gestures to the interchange during the round 11 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the St Kilda Saints at Optus Stadium on June 2, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Eagles premiership coach Mick Malthouse recently urged the club to hand the pair new deals so their legacies would not be "tarnished".

“Age is not the barrier. If the player is playing good football, you re-contract that player,” Malthouse said on ABC Sports Talk.

“When I look at West Coast, Josh Kennedy is an outstanding player. When he plays, he’s dangerous, he’s accurate, he’s competitive.

“If he is willing to play, you do not move him on.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Shannon Hurn of the Eagles looks to pass the ball during the round four AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium on April 13, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

“They can’t afford to lose players of the calibre of Kennedy and Hurn. They are still highly valuable players.

“If they were mid 20s playing like they do now, this wouldn’t be an issue.

“The last thing you want to see is their legacy tarnished by playing seconds footy."

Jarrod Brander, Josh Rotham, Luke Foley, Jamaine Jones and Xavier O'Neill also join the aforementioned out-of-contract trio in being yet to recommit to the Eagles.

Redden, who remains likely to stay in Perth, has been a valuable asset for West Coast since joining the club from Brisbane at the end of the 2015 season.