North Melbourne are reportedly readying a "massive offer" for Collingwood free agent Brayden Maynard, who could fetch a deal in the region of $6 million with the Kangaroos.
Maynard is unsigned beyond this season and eligible to test the open market as a free agent, with the Adelaide-born backman placing football as his priority in the early rounds of the 2025 season.
The 28-year-old had hinted his future would be sewn up in the pre-season, however no movement has been made on a new deal at Collingwood.
Maynard last recommitted to the Magpies in 2021, with the first free agency call of his career set for the cessation of the current season.
With Maynard potentially weighing up his future, North Melbourne have reportedly come calling with a lucrative long-term deal in the works.
Fox Footy's Jay Clark has revealed Maynard could be offered a six-year deal worth close to $1 million per season, which could be an offer the Magpies backman "can't turn down".
Collingwood aren't expected to be able to compete with the Kangaroos' reported offer for Maynard, placing the premiership defender in an intriguing position.
"North Melbourne is set to drop a massive offer on Collingwood's Brayden Maynard," Clark said on Fox Footy on Saturday.
"As much as six years and five to six million dollars for the 28-year-old gun defender. Collingwood simply can't and won't match that sort of money.
"For North Melbourne, Maynard brings the grunt, toughness, the team ethos and premiership experience that the Kangaroos need.
"It's a big decision for Brayden Maynard. He will weigh up massive money towards the end of the year.
"He's a heart-and-soul player, but this is money you can't turn down. This is a life-changing offer. I don't think you can leave that sort of money on the table."
A move to Arden Street would see Maynard link up with his brother, Corey, who is the Kangaroos' player wellbeing & development lead.
Should Maynard accept a deal in the vicinity of seven figures per season, the Magpies could receive first-round compensation for the free agency move.
Band one compensation would see Collingwood pocket a selection in the opening round of this year's draft immediately after the position of their top pick, which is held by Gold Coast after a trade deal last year.
Band two compensation falls at the end of the first round of the draft.
The Magpies hold their own second, third and fourth-round picks for 2025 as well as the Western Bulldogs' fourth-round selection.
Collingwood could need an early pick come the draft window as they plan to secure father-son prospect Tom McGuane, who could enter first-round calculations by November.
