Essendon is reportedly keen to offer Zach Merrett a further $700,000 to keep him at the Hangar despite his desire to depart.
Merrett's impatience with success has largely been the driver for a fresh start, and Hawthorn poses as the likeliest of destinations.
Channel 9's Tom Morris believes that the Bombers aren't willing to give up that easily on their captain, who has renegotiated his contract multiple times, and is up to doing it again.
"Essendon, I believe, have either just offered, or are about to offer, more money for him for the next two years," Morris told Footy Classified.
"For 2026 and 2027, I believe it will be somewhere around the $700,000 mark across two years... it won't change what Zach Merrett is thinking, and that is that he wants out."
"I believe it will be somewhere around the $700k mark across two years – but it won't change what Zach Merrett is thinking."@tommorris32 reports the Bombers are set to offer a significant pay rise to remain at the club. #9FootyClassified | Watch on Nine & 9Now 🖥️ pic.twitter.com/cxviOR925C
— Footy on Nine (@FootyonNine) September 16, 2025
However, it would appear that the relationship between the two is beyond repair, and that any sense of rekindling is nigh impossible.
As a result, the Hawks appear in the box seat after Merrett was revealed to be meeting with coach Sam Mitchell last week.
But according to Caroline Wilson, Adelaide "have joined the conversation".
The Crows bowed out in straight sets to put an end to an incredible 2025 campaign, when they stormed from 15th to first in 12 months.
But their pair of losses to Collingwood and the Hawks showed they need midfield star power, and Merrett could fit the bill.
"I also don't believe that Hawthorn are the only club in this conversation now. And I'm in fact certain, that the Adelaide Football Club have joined the conversation," Wilson told The Agenda Setters on Tuesday night.
"They have a serious list management meeting on Thursday. They are not the club they thought they were three weeks ago... They need to bolster their midfield.
"Zach isn't taking my calls at the moment. I don't know what he thinks about Adelaide. But if I were Zach, I would be looking at Adelaide. Adelaide's a good footy club; they need a midfielder.
"The Adelaide Football Club have joined the conversation (for Zach Merrett)."
🗣️ Caroline Wilson on Zach Merrett's future pic.twitter.com/ezDnLnkLLB
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 16, 2025
"They spoke about him today... They said to me that 'It would be wrong to say that we're actively pursuing this, but yes, we are in the conversation.'"
