A quartet of clubs are reportedly intrigued by the prospect of luring contracted Melbourne midfielder James Harmes from the Demons this off-season.
Harmes has played just nine senior games for the Demons this year and is currently battling a hamstring injury, leaving his chances of breaking back into Melbourne's finals side considerably slim.
The 27-year-old has one year remaining on his current Melbourne contract, with the premiership utility slated to enter unrestricted free agency at the end of next season.
However, the Demon may have already played his last game in the red and blue, with four clubs supposedly interested in acquiring him.
According to journalist Sam McClure on the Tradies podcast on Wednesday, Richmond, Carlton, Essendon, and Sydney are all thought to be keen on Harmes.
"James Harmes [is] leaving Melbourne, he's basically been frozen out from the first team," McClure began.
"[He's] essentially been frozen out, [he] won't play for Melbourne again, [he] hasn't been in the consideration to be in the senior squad now for several weeks.
"So, he's played his last game for Melbourne, and he's got four clubs that have enquired about him through his management; Richmond, Carlton, Sydney, and Essendon.
Seven reporter Mitch Cleary chimed in, adding that Harmes met with Essendon last season at the Bombers' Tullamarine headquarters.
"Just before you go further, I never reported this at the time last year because I'd only learned of it in the last fortnight, James Harmes toured Essendon last year, he was in at the Hangar last year," Cleary reported.
"I reported at the time he'd spoken to them, given the Josh Mahoney link when he was head of footy, given he was head of footy at Melbourne previously, but James Harmes toured Essendon last year.
"I'd have them firmly in the mix, as you've just told us."
The Bombers appear big players during this year's trade period, having shown interest in North Melbourne's Ben McKay and St Kilda's Jade Gresham, while, on the other hand, seeming increasingly likely to offload off-contract defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher.
Free agency commences on October 6, while the exchange space opens shortly after on October 9.