SEN Time On host Sam McClure says Sydney midfielder Dan Hannebery will be St Kilda’s priority during the upcoming trade period.
Hannebery, who has three years to run on his current deal with the Swans, has been heavily linked with a move to the Saints over the last 24 hours.
After missing out on Adelaide’s Rory Sloane, the 27-year-old has emerged as St Kilda’s main target, as they endeavour to lure the three-time All-Australian back to Victoria with a five-year offer.
“There is lots going on with player movement at the moment and it concerns the Saints and their pursuit of a big fish,” McClure told SEN Breakfast.
“They’ve put the line in the water and they want to nail Dan Hannebery because he is the one they have prioritised.
“They went after Rory Sloane – they missed out on him – he re-signed for five years at the Adelaide Crows and they have put a similar five-year offer to Dan Hannebery.
“The complexity of this is Hannebery is contracted until the end of 2021, but they’ve identified Hannebery, who is a Victorian boy, as their priority for the trade period.”
McClure indicated the Swans want their premiership star to remain at the club and see out his current deal.
“I spoke to people at Sydney yesterday, they want Dan Hannebery to stay at the club,” he added.
“They think he’s a very good player and I want to put on the record that John Longmire is a very, very big fan.
“They’ve been a lesser team without him this year and the games that he's played he has been clearly injured, he’s had calf and hip issues since the back-end of last year.
“They’re (Sydney) hoping to get him back this year, but at his best he’s a three time All-Australian, finishing top five in the Brownlow Medal three times.
“He’s a premiership player in 2012 where he was close to being the best player on the ground as a youngster.”
Hannebery has played 204 games for the red and white since being drafted to the club in 2008.
Listen to Sam McClure's chat on SEN Breakfast with Garry and Tim in the player below