Sydney Swans star Nick Blakey reportedly wants to leave the club at the end of the season.
Blakey was one of five players stood down by the Swans following an incident at a Melbourne hotel last month.
He has since been subject to trade rumours with a number of clubs said to be interested in his services.
According to The Age, Blakey has indicated to his associates that he wants to leave the Swans.
It has been claimed his relationship with the club has deteriorated, with both parties understood to have become frustrated with one another since the events in Melbourne.
Blakey was suspended along with four teammates, Isaac Heeney, Chad Warner, James Jordon and Riley Bice, after partying into the early hours of the morning following a win over Essendon, which included bringing women back to the team hotel.
Victoria Police are investigating the incident after an allegation of sexual assault was made.
All five Swans players have strenuously denied any criminal wrongdoing, and no charges have been laid over the alleged assault, with Bice no longer a person of interest.
News.com.au is not suggesting any of the men in the room engaged in the conduct alleged, only that it has been alleged.
The Swans have refused to comment on the futures of the players involved, with The Age reporting Blakey is angry about the club’s handling of the incident.
Last year Blakey reportedly considered a move to Gold Coast Suns with his girlfriend, Olympic runner Ella Connolly, eyeing a potential switch to Queensland ahead of the Brisbane Olympics.
If Blakey requests to leave there will be no shortage of interest for the 26-year-old, who is believed to be on more than $1 million a year.
“I believe up to eight clubs will be chasing Nick Blakey, including St Kilda (who) want a halfback,” Jay Clark said on Fox Footy.
“North Melbourne, obviously, Melbourne have two first-round picks, (and) Collingwood and Carlton will do their due diligence, too.”
There is a possibility the Swans will let go all of the players who have been suspended.
It has been reported AFL rivals will show interested in the stars, and the Swans might not stand in their way.
“Sydney knows its rivals will come for its banned players at absolute warp speed,” Jon Ralph said on Kayo Sports’ Midweek Tackle.
“It’s faced with an impossible decision. It’s my understanding they’re coming to the realisation they might have to move on some of those players to make profound cultural change.
“And to signify how much they’re prepared to change, it’ll almost take a step back from a performance point of view.
“West Coast almost did that – they pulled back on those on-field performances, so much of the cultural stuff, and this might be a similar move.”