Essendon forward Orazio Fantasia has nominated Port Adelaide as his club of choice for next season.
Fantasia was tipped for a move home to South Australia 12 months ago before being convinced to stay with the Bombers, with the 25-year-old now opting for a move to Alberton.
The Crows were also interested in Fantasia, but the Essendon goal-sneak has elected Port Adelaide as his club of choice, with the Power and Bombers set to discuss a trade deal ahead of next week's window.
Port Adelaide general manager of football Chris Davies revealed on Trade Radio that Fantasia has nominated the Power as his club of choice.
“We believe that Port Adelaide is his club of choice if he was to leave Essendon,” Davies said.
“In fairness to Essendon, because I know that he’s a contracted player there, but I think he’s also had that conversation with Essendon.
“We know the situation because we’ve been in it ourselves where a player is contracted and he either wants to return to Melbourne or wants to leave our club. In that case when a player is contracted, the club that he’s at right now holds a level of power whether they think that’s going to happen or not.
“Despite the fact that Orazio has said that his preference is to come to Port Adelaide, we know realistically that doesn’t mean a great deal unless Essendon are willing to do a trade.
“That will play out through the trade period. (Essendon list boss) Adrian (Dodoro) and Jason Cripps at our end will have to do some work in order to get that done.
“Yes, he has told us that his preference is to land at Port Adelaide.”
Fantasia managed just five matches this season and has played a total of 80 games with the Bombers, booting 111 goals.
