Dan Richardson has claimed Carlton made a “more compelling” financial offer financially to wantaway defender Adam Saad compared to the one on the table from Essendon.
The 26-year-old requested a trade to the Blues on Monday, opting not to re-sign with the Bombers and end his three-year stint at the club.
Having finished inside the top three of Essendon’s best and fairest this season, Saad walking out on the Bombers is a big blow, with the two clubs set to thrash out a trade with the exchange period opening next month.
Asked whether Essendon would demand Carlton’s pick seven in a trade for Saad, the Essendon GM of Football said the club would be demanding “compelling” compensation for the speedy defender.
“I’m not suggesting that Saad’s decision (to request a trade to Carlton) is based purely on finances,” he said on SEN’s Bob and Andy.
“But we know the offer that we put forward was compelling and we know the offer Carlton put forward is more compelling and if that’s the case, we need compelling compensation in return for a player of Adam’s quality.
“He’s one of the elite small defenders in the competition, we’ll work through that with Carlton and Adam’s management and we certainly feel that it’s got to be a compelling trade for us to be satisfied.”
Saad played 61 games for Essendon in three seasons, only missing one match during his time at the club.