Adelaide defender Rory Laird is currently negotiating a three-year contract extension with the Crows, according to foxfooty.com.au.
It is reported the two parties are edging closer to a deal and could expect to have it sealed and stamped before the midway point of the 2018 season, if not much sooner.
The potential contract extension would keep the 24-year-old at the Crows until the conclusion of the 2021 AFL season.
Laird's current deal expires at the end of this year, however the native South Australian has shown loyalty to his club and has shown disinterest in testing his value in free agency, despite interest from Victorian teams.
If Adelaide are successful in retaining their defender before the mid-point of the season, the club can then turn their attention to retaining other valuable players earlier rather than later.
Rory Sloane will be an unrestricted free agent come October and the team would presumably be looking to begin negotiating Sloane's new contract before the off-season.
Richard Douglas, Andy Otten, David Mackay and Tom Lynch are all out of contract at season's end, with the first three veterans all set to become unrestricted free agents.
The All-Australian defender had an incredible 2017 campaign with the Crows, carving out his very own mark on the competition.
Laird finished seventh in rebound 50s, bouncing opponents offensive flow back at every chance he got, whilst leading the AFL in effective disposals.
