Essendon star Adam Saad's concerns with the club's direction has caused his contract talks to stall, according to SEN's Sam Edmund.
Coming off arguably his best season in the league, the speedy defender remains unsigned beyond 2020 as a number of rival clubs monitor the situation.
Melbourne, North Melbourne and Carlton have all reportedly expressed interest in the 26-year old.
Speaking on SEN Breakfast, Edmund reports that Essendon have tabled Saad a long-term deal but he is currently weighing up his future.
“It’s just a bizarre stand-off,” Edmund said.
“It’s a potentially a long-term deal (for Saad) but I’m told the player is just as concerned about the direction at Essendon as much any anything which you can understand.”
Saad has played every game for the Bombers this year, averaging 18.9 disposals and 4.3 rebound 50s per contest.
He finished third in Essendon's best and fairest last year and has emerged as one of the club's most important players.
As Saad does not qualify for free agency at the end of the season, rival clubs would need to trade to acquire him.