Richmond superstar Shai Bolton has formally requested a trade away from the club, with an eye on returning to his home state in Western Australia.

Bolton - who has long been linked with a move back to WA for family reasons - is aware that he will stay at Punt Road if a deal cannot be met, given he is still contracted until the end of 2028.

However, according toย Herald Sunย journalist Jon Ralph, the 25-year-old's growing family are "increasingly aware of the challenges of remaining away from family who find it difficult to get to Melbourne to support them".

"He has four more years on a deal of $1.1-$1.2 million, with Fremantle and West Coast keen but the Dockers a much more likely home given their trio of first-round picks," Ralph added.

The Tigers are keen to keep him but would be remiss not to entertain a deal that could help them land multiple first-round picks in a trade.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Dylan Grimes, Shai Bolton, Kamdyn McIntosh and Daniel Rioli of the Tigers look dejected after the round eight AFL match between Richmond Tigers and Fremantle Dockers at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on May 05, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Fremantle appear to be the likeliest of suitors given their breadth of first-round selections in the upcoming National Draft.

The Dockers currently hold picks 9 (linked to Collingwood), 10 and 17 (linked to Port Adelaide).

West Coast will also ask the question but may struggle given their lack of draft capital, only holding Pick 3 in the 2024 draft.

They could opt to throw in a future first-round pick to help get the deal over the line.

It is understood that Richmond if they were to make a deal, would ask for two first-round selections to send Bolton west.

It comes as teammates Liam Baker and Jack Graham are likely to head west, with the latter assessing the Eagles' free agency offer.

Richmond has been on the front foot in retaining Graham while Baker's mind is yet to be made up as he weighs up his future.

Liam Baker following the 2022 AFL Round 19 match between Richmond and Fremantle (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)

Despite the potential loss of premiership stalwarts at the club, it could be a strong piece of business by the Tigers, who are at a crossroads.

Likely to secure their eighth wooden spoon in their history following a disappointing 2024 campaign under new coach Adem Yze, the prospect of rebuilding would be assisted by the departure of Bolton, Baker, Graham and Daniel Rioli, who is keen to head to Gold Coast.

If the quartet were to leave, the club could end up with six first-round picks in the upcoming draft which would help accelerate the rebuild before the introduction of Tasmania, who are set to enter in 2028.