Collingwood coach Craig McRae said the club was "fortunate" to be included in the process to land Port Adelaide free agent Zak Butters, but ultimately wished him well as he bypassed the Pies' advances.
Butters confirmed his departure from the Alberton club earlier this week, and is yet to decide on his next destination, with Geelong, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs all hopefuls.
Collingwood has been aggressive when attempting to lure free agents to Olympic Park, and McRae alluded to the club's continuing in that space.
"I'm not sure if I'm speaking out of school, but I did text Zak yesterday to wish him all the best," McRae said on Fox Footy.
"We were fortunate enough to be part of a process that will make us better. We're in the market for free agents, and we don't want to stand still and grow our team.
"We thought he could be a significant part of that. This time we missed out, but it opens other opportunities for us. But I do wish him well."
The Pies have been linked to delisted GWS pair Jesse Hogan and Jake Stringer, although the latter's move to the club looks unlikely.
Brisbane star midfielder Lachie Neale is another free agent Collingwood is set to land in the upcoming off-season.
"Well, we've got some picks at the moment, and we've got a couple of players that might want to come to us as well," McRae said.
Scott Pendlebury's future was also a topic McRae addressed.
The Pies legend has interest from Gold Coast and Essendon, and Collingwood is keen to keep him.
Pendlebury is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, and will miss at least the next fortnight as the club embarks on a do-or-die Wildcard Round clash on Friday against the Western Bulldogs.
"I don't know about delicate," McRae said.
"I had a chat to him on Saturday to say if there's anything I can do. Either way (whether he leaves or stays), we'll love him forever. I've said publicly before, I can see an attraction there, why another club would want him.
"We will constantly communicate and support him. If he knows he can't perform at the level, he won't do it.
"The other part of it is celebrating him. He doesn't necessarily want that, hence why he's not in a hurry to announce it or make a decision where he needs to."
