Collingwood are "expecting" star ruckman Brodie Grundy to depart the club just two years into a seven-year deal to join fellow ruck powerhouse Max Gawn at the Demons.
According to the Herald Sun's Jon Ralph, Melbourne are leading the race for the 28-year-old, who would most likely need to be offloaded in order for Collingwood to acquire their key off-season targets.
Brisbane and Adelaide talls Dan McStay and Billy Frampton are expected to end up in the black and white next season, as well as Giants small forward Bobby Hill, with Collingwood looking to open cap space for their anticipated arrivals.
It has been previously reported that the Magpies would be open to paying as much as $300,000 a season of Grundy's contract, which is worth in the vicinity of $1 million per year and ends in 2027, in order for the star to depart.
"Melbourne is the raging favourite (for Grundy). The expectation is that they will get there," Ralph told Fox Footy's On the Couch.
"Collingwood's position is that they expect him to leave, now if it is that he stays, that's OK - that may impact some of their other issues trying to get in the likes of (Dan) McStay, Bobby Hill and (Billy) Frampton from Adelaide.
"Those close to him are saying he's gonna win the Brownlow next year. He's so determined to play well and yet I think all of us don't quite see how that fits in with Max Gawn, who's had two goals in the last eight games as a forward."
Meanwhile, Collingwood are also set to reward Jordan De Goey for his strong second half of the season by re-offering the contract that was ripped from the negotiations table after his mid-season trip to Bali.
The 26-year-old put his match-winning talents on display in midfield for the Magpies in their narrow loss to Geelong in Saturday's qualifying final.
De Goey was superb in the midfield, finishing with 26 disposals, nine tackles and slotted two important majors in a hectic final term which almost dragged Collingwood over the line.
Ralph said that the forward-turned-midfielder is keen to remain at the Magpies beyond this season despite interest from both St Kilda and Essendon, and a contract offer from the club is imminent.
"Collingwood will put a four-year deal to Jordan De Goey as early as next week, as soon as they are out of the finals, that will play him $800,000 a year - as long as he can keep out of trouble," Ralph said.
"The deal would be the same one withdrawn through the Bali escapades. Two years guaranteed, and then two more years if he meets those strict behavioural criteria.
"He won't get more than $800,000 a year at Collingwood (as compared to what could be on offer at St Kilda), but he's desperate to stay and critically the Collingwood baord now has ticked it off.
"Very keen for him to be there as long as those clauses are there - St Kilda still circulating.
"I think you back yourself in and you back your own standards in, to get paid a lot of money."
De Goey suffered a grade on AC joint sprain over the weekend, but is expected to feature for the Pies this weekend as they take on Fremantle in the semi-finals on Saturday night.
