The Adelaide Crows are reportedly "digging their heels in" during trade discussions centred on out-of-contract Gold Coast Suns livewire Izak Rankine.
Rankine hails from West Adelaide and recently made it known he would like to return to his home state via a trade.
Having served just four years in the competition thus far, Rankine currently holds a non-free-agent status as an out-of-contract player, meaning the Crows and Suns will need to come to an agreement on a trade price if the 22-year-old is to end up in Adelaide colours by the conclusion of this year's trade window.
However, according to journalist Sam McClure who spoke on 3AW's Sportsday on Monday, an agreement may not be easy to come by if recent negotiations are any indication.
"It sounds like Adelaide is already digging their heels in over the Izak Rankine trade," McClure said on the program.
"If Essendon is the most infamous club to deal with in the trade period, the Crows are on the podium. They have done this before with Bryce Gibbs.
"If you're paying $850,000 (a year) to a 22-year-old who was Pick 3, you probably have to cough up for him, don't you?
"I can't tell what they'll have to give up, but Adelaide's first pick this year is Pick 4 and you'd have to think that is the starting point."
Rankine has boosted his stock in each successive AFL season he's played in, kicking 12 goals in his 2020 debut season, followed by 16 in 2021 and a head-turning 29 this year.
With the Crows rumoured to be offering Rankine in the range of $850,000 per season, the dynamic small forward is set to come at a premium exchange price when the league's trade period commences on October 3.
“If Essendon is the most infamous club to deal with in the trade period, the Crows are on the podium. They have done this before with Bryce Gibbs.”
laughing….. that was a win/win/win for carlton…. somewhat obviously. 2 first rounders plus… for a 30 plus year old….. one of the more stupid moves made by the Crows……