Essendon has entered the race to sign Adelaide restricted free agent Brad Crouch, according to The Age.
Crouch, 26, was the subject of interest from Gold Coast during last year’s trade period but he ultimately decided to stay with the club.
The inside midfielder recently told Channel 9 that he wasn’t ruling out any option beyond 2020.
“I haven’t spoken to my manager about specific sides,” Crouch said.
“I know definitely he’d be having conversations with different teams at the moment, about different deals and what other teams need and stuff like that.
“But there’s no one I’m ruling out at the moment.”
The report states that Adelaide and Crouch’s management remain in discussions about his future, with his asking price a key in any deal beyond this season.
Essendon are one of a number of clubs pursuing the in-demand midfielder ahead of what’s set to be a busy trade and free agency period.
Crouch, who’s brother Matt also plays for Adelaide, has averaged 22 disposals from 10 games this year.
He was one of Adelaide’s best in their 12-point win over GWS on Tuesday night, finding the ball on 31 occasions and taking four marks.