Despite it only being July, AFL trade news and rumours are heating up ahead of the 2021 exchange period.

In the past week, Geelong, Hawthorn and Adelaide have been in the trade spotlight, among several other sides already preparing list management calls for the upcoming trade period.

Bombers setting sights on key-forward targets

Essendonย are set for another busy off-season, with experienced key forwards reportedly in their sights.

The Bombers have been arguably the most impressive side of the 2021 season, with their young, exciting list going against pre-season expectations as they currently sit in the frame for a finals place.

FULL STORY: Essendon set to target tall forwards at upcoming trade period

Cornes: Crows should be open to trading young forward

Port Adelaideย championย Kane Cornes has questioned Adelaide forward Darcy Fogarty's position at West Lakes, believing the young forward is at a "crossroads" with his club.

โ€œSelection (atย Adelaide) is fascinating to me,โ€ Cornes said onย SEN SA.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Darcy Fogarty of the Crows is tackled by Jade Gresham of the Saints during the 2019 AFL round 20 match between the Adelaide Crows and the St Kilda Saints at the Adelaide Oval on August 03, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

โ€œHowย Darcy Fogarty isnโ€™t in this team is an indictment on Darcy himself...when youโ€™re crying out for options forward of the ball and the team is crying out for some aggression and some competitiveness, for someone who can kick straight โ€“ they kicked 2.9."

READ MORE: Crows urged to consider trading Darcy Fogarty

Rival clubs circling Port Adelaide ruckman Peter Ladhams

Rival AFL clubs are reportedly circlingย Portย Adelaideย ruckmanย Peter Ladhams, with interested suitors understood to believe the SANFL product could be gettable at season's end, perย Adelaide Now.

The 23-year-old has played 24 games for the Power since making his debut in 2019, becoming a formidable option to pair with first-string ruckย Scott Lycett.

FULL STORY: Port Adelaide ruckman Peter Ladhams in the sights of AFL clubs

Dockers urged to pursue Vic-based duo

Fremantleย greatย Matthew Pavlichย has urged his former club to move for two Western Australian products currently residing with Victorian clubs.

AFL Rd 7 - Richmond v North Melbourne
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - JULY 18: Shai Bolton of the Tigers runs the ball during the round 7 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Metricon Stadium on July 18, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The six-time Dockers best and fairest winner namedย Richmondย gunย Shai Boltonย andย Geelongย speedsterย Jordan Clarkย as key targetsย Fremantleย should push to lure back home.

DETAILS: Fremantle nudged to move for Shai Bolton, Jordan Clark

Bulldogs midfielder could be on the way out

Western Bulldogsย midfielderย Patrick Lipinskiย could be set to leave the kennel in pursuit of greater opportunities at AFL level.

Lipinski has been linked with a possible move from the Dogs all season with the young midfielder struggling to force his way into the Bulldogs elite midfield group.

READ MORE: Western Bulldogs midfielder Patrick Lipinski chance to depart

Two clubs linked to Hawks forward Oliver Hanrahan

Geelongย andย Gold Coastย have been linked to out-of-contract Hawkย Oliver Hanrahan.

As reported byย Fox Sports'ย David Zita, the Cats and Suns have previously "asked the question" in regards to the 22-year-old's situation atย Hawthorn.

FULL STORY: Geelong, Gold Coast showing interest in Hawthorn's Oliver Hanrahan

LAUNCESTON, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Oliver Hanrahan of the Hawks runs with the ball under pressure from Elliott Himmelberg of the Crows during the round six AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Adelaide Crows at University of Tasmania Stadium on April 25, 2021 in Launceston, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Update given for Cats quintet

Despite a recent re-signing spree,ย Geelongย remain to have a bevy of out-of-contract key names that the Cats will be looking to lock away for the future.

Headlining the list is gun midfielder Cam Guthrie, who is relishing a dominant role inย Chris Scott's engine room in 2021 off the back of a maiden All-Australian campaign.

FULL STORY: Geelong contracts update for Guthrie, Constable, Narkle, Clark and Henderson

Veteran Crows on the table

Adelaideย have told rival clubs they will entertain offers for veteran pairย Daniel Taliaย andย Matt Crouch.

Sam McClure and Daniel Cherny ofย The Ageย have reported that the Crows are showing a willingness to let them walk out of the club.

READ MORE: Adelaide prepared to move on Matt Crouch, Daniel Talia

Hawks eye Freo youngster

Hawthornย are eyeing off youngย Fremantle forward Lachie Shultz as the 23-year-old approaches free-agency.

Schultz went undrafted as an 18-year-old but, after two impressive seasons in the VFL, was taken with pick 58 by Freo in 2018.

2020 Marsh Community Series - West Coast v Fremantle
JOONDALUP, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 07: Lachie Schultz of the Dockers kicks the ball during the 2020 Marsh Community Series match between the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers at HBF Arena on March 07, 2020 in Joondalup, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The youngster has since become a regular in Justin Longmuir's side, playing all but one game over the last two years.

FULL STORY: Hawthorn targeting out-of-contract Fremantle forward Lachie Schultz

Bombers spearhead Jake Stringer nearing new deal

Essendonย are confident in retaining out-of-contract spearheadย Jake Stringerย past 2021, with Bombers football boss Josh Mahoney revealing talks between the two parties are ย โ€œa long way down the trackโ€.

Reports across the past month have placed a wedge between Stringer and the club, with the 27-year-old understood to have baulked at the Bombers' latest extension offer.

However, speaking onย SEN,ย Mahoney revealed that talks have continued to progress, with negotiations surpassing hurdles and nearing agreement.

READ MORE: Essendon forward Jake Stringer set to sign contract extension

Dockers forward Rory Lobb reportedly weighing up options

The future ofย Fremantleย Dockers big manย Rory Lobbย remains as an intriguing story, with recent reports linking him to a move interstate despite being contracted at the Dockers until the end of 2023.

It comes as Lobb, 28, has been reported to be relatively open about a potential move away from the Dockers, but talks are yet to commence with other clubs.

FULL STORY: Fremantle ruckman Rory Lobb weighing up move to Victoria

Bulldogs list manager explains why clubโ€™s first round pick is on the table

Western Bulldogsย general manager of list and recruiting Sam Power has stated that the club is open to offers for their first-round draft pick at this year's draft.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 27: Sam Darcy of Vic Metro (C) celebrates a goal during the U19 trial match between Vic Metro and Vic Country on June 27, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Martin Keep/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

According toย AFL Media's Callum Twomey, the reason behind placing this first selection (currently pick-17) up for grabs is so that Power find the best avenue to making sure father-son gun Sam Darcy makes his way to the kennel.

READ MORE: Bulldogs prepared to part ways with top draft pick

Kelly yet to recommit to the Giantsย 

Greater Westernย Sydneyย football manager Jason McCartney has claimed he hasn't lost any sleep about the fact that the club's star midfielder Josh Kelly has not signaled his intent to ink a new deal.

The Victorian reportedly has an eight year deal on the table with theย Giantsย that would net the 26-year-old $1 million a season.

FULL STORY: GWS star Josh Kelly still weighing up future

Lynch no certainty to remain with Adelaide

Injury ravaged Crows conduitย Tom Lynchย has reportedly been told that a new contract with the club may not eventuate in the city of churches.

AFL Rd 5 - Adelaide v Fremantle
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 18: Crows players, Tom Lynch, Paul Seedsman, Tom Doedee slump to the ground after the loss of the 2021 AFL Round 05 match between the Adelaide Crows and the Fremantle Dockers at Adelaide Oval on April 18, 2021 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

In a report from David Zita and Max Laughton ofย Fox Footy, the former Saint is said to have been alerted to the fact by current coachย Matthew Nicks.

READ MORE: Crows veteran Tom Lynch playing for future

Deep-pocket Port set to hit the market

A 'cashed up'ย Port Adelaideย appear certain to bolster their list with ready made talent at this year's trade period, per a report from Simeon Thomas-Wilson ofย The Advertiser.

Following views that the Alberton club is light on for midfield talent, Power Chief Executive Matthew Richardson stated publicly this week that this supposed dearth was something that would be rectified this off-season.

READ MORE Port Adelaide set for active trade period with salary space

Two Victorian clubs tipped to be leading chase for Docker gun Adam Cerra

Carlton and Richmond have been tipped as the leading suitors in the chase for out-of-contract Dockers gun Adam Cerra.

Cerra has been a highly-coveted target for a number of Victorian clubs, withย The Herald Sunย now reporting that the Blues and Tigers are in the front-seat should the midfielder opt for a return home.

FULL STORY: Blues, Tigers leading the race for Fremantle gun Adam Cerra