West Coast Eagles star Jeremy McGovern will need to sacrifice in excess of $2 million to remain a West Coast Eagles player, given their tight salary cap squeeze, according to the Herald Sun.
The gun defender has put contract discussions on hold for the time being, but rival clubs are fast approaching, according to manager Colin Young.
Midfielder Andrew Gaff finds himself in a tricky, similar situation. The Melbourne-born star is ready to sign back on with his club, but is well weary of the financial situation faced at the club.
The Eagles find themselves in hot water, facing the prospect of losing both free agents to clubs ready to spend large.
McGovern, 26 years old, has been looked at by several Melbourne sides, as well as the Eagles' West Australian rivals, Fremantle.
Both are sides who are prepared to offer long-term deals worth well over the $1 million mark.
The situation could place McGovern among the AFL's rich list - he could potentially end up being paid as handsomely as Richmond's Dustin Martin, who incidentally also needed to sacrifice a reported $2.8 million over a seven-year span.
"There's a few clubs looking for intercept players at the present time, you'd imagine there would be a few clubs in the market" Young told Perth radio.
Gut-running wingman, Gaff, meanwhile looms as a intriguing prospect. In high-demand, the in-form midfielder has added a dangerous inside edge to his already damaging outside game.
His suitors include Victorian clubs North Melbourne, Melbourne, St.Kilda and Carlton.
According to his manager Paul Connors, the free agent is in absolutely no hurry to commit to a new deal.
It's well worth noting that the West Coast Eagles have a history of being reluctant to re-sign long-term deals that expires when the player is in their 30's.
