Carlton are understood to have rubbished a report suggesting contracted midfielder Zac Williams is "gettable" as a trade target this off-season.
Williams' time at Princes Park hasn't been the smoothest, playing just 23 games in the navy blue since arriving from Greater Western Sydney at the end of the 2020 season.
The 27-year-old signed a six-year deal with Carlton on a reported $800,000-900,000-per-year contract, a fee that had garnered some concern given the questions around Williams' likely role with the Blues.
The Narrandera product shared his time with the Giants in defence and midfield, and was hopeful of breaking into the Blues' engine room in his first year at the club. Williams attended centre bounce stoppages in just five games of this debut year at Carlton, mostly utilised at half-back or as a wider option in midfield.
Injuries have hindered the GWS Academy graduate's spell with the Blues, with a calf injury limiting Williams to just the nine games this season, a campaign where he again saw little midfield action.
Two years into his long-term deal with Carlton, Williams has been named to be on offer to rival clubs, with RSN's Mark Stevens stating murmurs suggest the Blues might be open to parting ways with their defender-midfielder hybrid.
"Zac Williams, an interesting one, two years into a six-year deal," Stevens told RSN's Breakfast Club.Â
"I believe Carlton, just subtly shopping him around as far as trade.
"Would there be many takers? I mean you'd have to pay some of his wage, he's on about $800,000, he's got another four years left.
"So he's gettable. Carlton may be looking to make some room.
"He's had his injury problems. Came as a midfielder and ended up on the half-back flank. Certainly at the moment being shopped around."
According to Fox Footy's David Zita, the Blues have "categorically" denied the suggestion Williams is being shopped around the league, with the club seeing the serviceable ball-winner as a required player for 2023 and beyond.
The Blues will be planning their finances for a critical coming 12 months, with key-position pair Harry McKay and Tom de Koning both unsigned beyond 2023.
The pair are both expected to gain rival interest throughout next season should they remain yet to recommit.
Carlton were able to lock away the signature of star duo Sam Walsh and Charlie Curnow this year to long-term deals, with their attention now turning to key retention signings for next year.
The club have already taken a firm stance on their list for 2023, delisting five players since their season ended, including former first-round pick Liam Stocker.
