Essendon has reportedly signalled their interest in luring Gold Coast forward Izak Rankine south.
Rankine, 22, is having his best year at AFL level in 2022, kicking 22 goals from 13 games.
The livewire’s value seems to be increasing by the week with 12 goals coming from his last month of football.
While the former No. 3 draft pick looks more than likely to remain on the Gold Coast, Channel 7 AFL reporter Mitch Cleary says the Dons have “thrown their hat in the ring” should he choose to depart the Suns.
“At Gold Coast, Izak Rankine is piecing together his season,” Cleary told Seven’s Trade Talk.
“Negotiations are just bubbling along to keep him at the Suns.
“But the Essendon footy club has thrown its hat in the ring.
“They’re just giving him something to think about as his negotiations push on.”
Rankine comes out of contract at the end of the 2022 season, but it’s believed he’ll commit to the Suns long-term alongside the likes of Ben King and Noah Anderson.