MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 02: Alex Witherden of the Lions is tackled by Darcy Parish of the Bombers during the 2017 AFL round 15 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on July 02, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

A deal sending Lions young gun Alex Witherden to West Coast is imminent, according to 7 NEWS’ Ryan Daniels.

Daniels reports that the trade between the two clubs could be agreed to as early as today.

Reports emerged last week that the Eagles were interested in the defender, who fell out of favour of Chris Fagan's best 22 this season.

Witherden played just six games in 2020 through the middle part of the campaign and did not feature during the finals.

The 22-year old has made 59 senior appearances for the Lions after making his debut in 2017.

The former pick 23 is contracted until the end of 2022 having signed a three-year deal last year.

Daniels understands that the move means out-of-contract veteran defender Lewis Jetta is unlikely to receive a new deal for 2021.

The AFL trade period ends on Thursday night.