SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Lance Franklin of the Swans kicks his 1000th during the 2022 AFL Round 02 match between the Sydney Swans and the Geelong Cats at the Sydney Cricket Ground on March 25, 2022 In Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Just hours after reports aired suggesting that Lance Franklin would head north at the end of the season to continue his career at Brisbane, the Lions said that they had not spoken to the superstar forward.

Nine News Queensland reporter Michael Atkinson reported on Thursday that the Lions were the frontrunner to secure the services of the forward, who is out of contract at the Swans at the end of the season.

“It’s my understanding that Franklin has informed the Swans that he won’t be playing in Sydney next year,” Atkinson said.

“Franklin and his wife Jesinta have a desire to move their family up to Queensland to be closer to family on the Gold Coast.

“But it’s not the Suns where he wants to keep playing, Buddy wants to win more premierships and he’s identified Brisbane as the club most likely to help him achieve that goal.”

Despite the report indicating that discussions between the two parties were well underway, an unnamed offical at Brisbane revealed that the club hadn't spoken to Franklin, but would be willing to should he want to make the move.

“But if he wants to move to Queensland we would have a chat,” a Lions official told News Corp. 

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 08: Lance Franklin of the Swans thanks fans after winning the round 12 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs at Sydney Cricket Ground on June 8, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Swans CEO Tom Harley appeared on 3AW on Thursday prior to the report, and commented on the Swans star, saying while they were no closer to reaching a deal, things were "tracking well".

“There’s nothing to announce, but there’s nothing untoward at the same time (on Franklin’s future),” Harley said on 3AW.

“There’s no hurry from our point of view and no hurry from his point of view.

“Things are all tracking well at the moment.”

Yet when contacted by 3AW after the report went live, Harley said the bombshell move was “news to him”.

The Swans have made no further comment on the situation as they prepare to travel to Melbourne to take on North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Sunday afternoon.