Carlton’s pursuit of Adam Cerra has hit a snag as the midfielder looks for a path out of Fremantle.
Cerra has let dust gather on the Dockers’ four-year offer worth up to $750,000 a season. He is keen on a return home to Victoria where the Blues, Richmond and Hawthorn have emerged as the likely options.
Essendon is not in the frame.
It’s understood money is the main sticking point for the Blues, who have recently re-signed Patrick Cripps and Harry McKay to lucrative deals and have emerging superstar Sam Walsh to re-sign before the end of next season.
While some claim a Cerra move to the Blues is now off, people at Carlton believe the flame is still flickering.
As things stand, Carlton hold pick 6 in the national draft, with their next selection not coming until 25.
Cerra, 21, would command at least a first-round pick given Fremantle took him at No.5 in the 2017 national draft. He finished third in the Dockers’ best and fairest last year.
While it is a heavy draft price to pay after giving up their first-round selection for Adam Saad last year, a need to balance the salary cap is the primary obstacle for Carlton in the Cerra negotiations.