Collingwood are reportedly willing to fork out $1.5 million to pay off some of the remaining sum of Brodie Grundy's five-year deal should he find a new club this off-season.
Grundy signed a seven-year contract extension with the Magpies in 2020, a deal that expires at the end of the 2027 season and is believed to be worth in the vicinity of $1 million per season.
The hefty fee has become a burden on Collingwood's planning for the future, with senior coach Craig McRae flourishing without the two-time All-Australian ruckman thanks to the breakout campaign of Darcy Cameron in Grundy's injury absence.
The situation has sparked interest from rival clubs, with Melbourne, Geelong, Port Adelaide and GWS linked to the 28-year-old despite his contractual status.
Potentially open to shopping their star tall, Collingwood are understood to have alerted rival clubs that they are happy to pay $300,000 for each year remaining in Grundy's contract to aid negotiations, according to 7 News.
The Magpies are currently paying an estimated $300,000 per season for Bulldog Adam Treloar, who departed Collingwood at the end of 2020 with three years remaining on his deal.
A similar move could see Grundy depart this year, potentially easing their salary situation and bolstering their chances of securing free agent Jordan De Goey.
"A Brodie Grundy trade is now gathering momentum, opposition clubs now told that the Pies will be willing to pay $300,000 a year for Grundy's five years to leave the club," reporter Mitch Cleary revealed on Wednesday night.
Opposition clubs have been told the Pies would be willing to pay $300,000 per season of Brodie Grundy’s remaining five years should he leave https://t.co/Fxq8814Ikr
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) August 10, 2022
"It means that combined with Adam Trealor's remaining money, it will see the Pies pay roughly $2.4 million for two players to play elsewhere in coming years. It could help them keep Jordan De Goey.
"Grundy has now met with GWS and Melbourne."
The Demons are anticipating the departure of Luke Jackson at season's end, with the WA product likely to join the Dockers in the trade window, prompting Melbourne to hunt another tall to partner skipper Max Gawn.
It is understood the Demons have met with Grundy in recent days, and according to Triple M's Jay Clark, are seen as the front-runners to land his services.
“Quite clearly they (the Magpies) have said to the star ruckman ‘explore your options’ ... as we sit here right now, Melbourne are the frontrunners,” Clark said this week.
The Demons are likely to acquire a lucrative trade package in return for Jackson, assets that could be used in a move to land Grundy.
While Collingwood are understood to be willing to part ways with Grundy, who has been ruled out of this season due to injury, they will likely demand more than just a first-round selection for their two-time best and fairest winner.
