MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Brett Deledio of the Tigers looks upfield during a Richmond Tigers AFL training session at Punt Road Oval on August 11, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Geelong may face competition for the signature of Tigers' star, Brett Deledio.

Faifax journalist Rohan Connolly told Melbourne radio station, SEN, on Wednesday afternoon that Deledio has also shown interest in joining the Western Bulldogs.

Reports emerged earlier this week that Deledio is keen to be come a Cat in 2017, however, Geelong will struggle to fit him into the salary cap and will also find it difficult to satisfy the Tigers at the trade table.

“I’m not saying this is definitely on the cards but I have heard from a pretty reasonable source that the Brett Deledio – Geelong thing may not be as clear cut as some people are making it." Connolly said.

“There are reports that Deledio himself is pretty interested also in the Western Bulldogs, and he’s very keen to catch up with Luke Beveridge and have a bit of a chat.”

Connolly also added that the Bulldogs may be better placed to negotiate a deal with Richmond than Geelong, who do not have a first round pick in this year's draft.

“Obviously when you hear something like this you think how a deal could be done,” he said.

“The Bulldogs’ first pick is 18, that’s not enough on its own for Deledio obviously, I think he’s worth more than that.

“What about Deledio for pick 18 and either a Nathan Hrovat or Mitch Honeychurch?

“I think both those two guys fit the bill, particularly Hrovat – I think he’s got something special about him.”

Deledio, who was the No.1 pick in 2004, has played 243 games in 12 seasons at Punt Road.

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