Essendon has met with Melbourne free agent Angus Brayshaw as his future begins to come under sharper focus, according to The Age.
The report on Thursday night stated that the 26-year-old recently caught up with Bombers coach Ben Rutten and football boss Josh Mahoney, with the Demons aware of the club's interest.
Fremantle – where younger brother Andrew plays – also remains interested.
Brayshaw has been a constant presence in Melbourne’s side this year, averaging 24 disposals and eight marks from 17 games.
But the pitch from Essendon reportedly centres around allowing Brayshaw to play more midfield minutes, after spending parts of the last two seasons in defence or on the wing at the Demons.
Channel 7 reported in June that Geelong were also interested in Brayshaw, who is weighing up the biggest contract decision of his career so far.