Adelaide forward Mitch McGovern has officially requested a trade away from the club just 12 months after signing a three-year contract extension.
The 23-year-old is contracted with the Crows until the end of 2020 but informed the club on Tuesday that he wishes to be traded.
Reports suggest McGovern is as good as certain to be at Carlton next year as the Blues look to turn around their fortunes.
“That’s the jungle drums really loud that Carlton have stitched him up," Sam Edmund told SEN Breakfast on Wednesday
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“The touted number one pick is Jack Lukosius, he is a South Australian kid, you have to think the Crows would love to get their hands on him. How do they do that?
“Carlton have the number one pick, so there is going to be all sorts of things coming and going around Adelaide’s pick seven maybe coming back the other way, obviously McGovern is involved.”
Adelaide head of football Brett Burton said they were open to a trade but would prioritise finding the best deal for the club.
“We are open minded and happy to explore the options available with Mitch and his manager,” Burton said.
“However, the needs of the club will be held as a high priority in any possible negotiation, especially given he is a contracted player."
NEWS: Forward Mitch McGovern has requested a trade https://t.co/zZyoNciEO1 #weflyasone pic.twitter.com/aROesdFVFP
— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) August 28, 2018
McGovern has played 48 games since his 2016 debut, booting 67 goals.
He was picked up with pick 43 in the 2014 draft but injury interrupted his first season on the list.
A strong contested mark, McGovern had become a key part in the Crows' forward line, though injury again cruelled his 2017 and 2018 campaigns, playing 13 and 12 games respectively.
Adelaide will be looking to get a first-round draft pick in return, though Carlton are unlikely to swap their number one pick for McGovern should he wish to join the Blues.
