Collingwood forward Jordan De Goey has been identified by former Essendon great Tim Watson as a potential quick-fix recruit for the struggling Bombers.
De Goey is out of contract at season's end and would be eligible for free agency, even as his on-field form and contract value is arguably increasing.
Off-field matters aside, De Goey has registered a stellar start to the 2022 season with an average of two goals and 23 disposals per game.
“I said this last year, Jake Stringer is the most important player at Essendon - he does things that nobody else on their list can possibly do,” Watson said on SEN Breakfast.
“And to that end, I just wonder how hard Essendon might go - and the interest levels they might have - for someone like Jordy De Goey.
“I’m just saying it increases the interest when you look at your playing list and you’ve got someone like a Stringer that can do what he can do and then you’ve got someone like De Goey out there that you could possibly recruit with the right level of money.
"Do you try and throw a nice juicy contract his way to try and entice him?”
Watson's comments come as De Goey's current salary – reportedly $750,000-$800,000 per season - and future contract talks are likely to dominate discussions in coming weeks.
Collingwood are understood to be setting their sights on securing De Goey's signature after locking away defender Darcy Moore to a long-term deal.
Although, reports have emerged over the weekend that rival clubs are interested in the midfielder-forward off the back of his current form.
Clubs may have to fork out more than $1 million a season to lure him away from his current worth at Collingwood, while ensuring the Magpies would struggle to match that offer.
“About $2 million combined is what both Darcy Moore and Brodie Grundy will make both on the list until 2028 and 2027 (respectively),” Damian Barrett said on Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“It doesn’t leave the big money that Jordan De Goey is guaranteed to demand from other clubs."