Western Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains has told SEN's Crunch Time there is some "distance" between the Dogs and midfielder Luke Dahlhaus in terms of the 25-year-old signing a new deal to stay at Whitten Oval.

Dahlhaus wants to remain in the red, white and blue, but as it stands an agreement between the two parties is still a while away, with Bains suggesting both camps are struggling to agree on terms pertaining to how long the deal is.

“We’ve had productive discussions with Luke’s management, he’s keen to say and he’s been vocal about that,” Bains told SEN’s on Saturday morning.

“At the moment there’s a bit of distance between us in what that contract looks like hence why there hasn’t been any strong progression.

“More in terms of years (not dollars).”

Bains also gave an update on premiership midfielder Tom Liberatore, although Bains says both parties are happy for him to rehab his knee a little more before diving in to contract talks.

“He’s been fantastic, he’s made an effort over and above his rehab being around the club and being at games supporting the boys,” Bains said.

“We had a brief discussion with his management prior to the season starting, but everyone’s agreed in the context of the first heavy part of his rehab that that’s what needs to be his focus and we can have a chat as the year progresses.”