Geelong still remains interested in contracted Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett, but is well aware he has a desire to head to Hawthorn.
The Cats are on the hunt for an A-grade on-baller, especially after they missed out on Zak Butters.
Merrett has wanted to depart the Bombers on numerous occasions, including last year, but was ultimately held to his contract.
"[Merrett's] management has been aware of our interest for a fair while," Cats football boss Andrew Mackie said on AFL Trade Radio.
"But we know exactly where that sits - he wants to get to Hawthorn - so that allows us to look elsewhere, and we're looking at all sorts at the moment."
Mackie also touched on the club's big miss on Butters, alluding to the notion that they are unaware why the former Port Adelaide star chose the Western Bulldogs.
Multiple reports indicated the bad blood between Geelong and the Power had a say in Butters' decision, as well as the Cats' inability to detail how a deal would get done, which was a deal breaker for the midfielder.
Geelong has also been linked to Jordan Ridley and Nick Blakey as defensive options.
The Cats have put forward a future first-round selection for Ridley, who is contracted until the end of 2029 at the Bombers.
As for Blakey, who was suspended for the final stretch of the season following his involvement in the Pullman Hotel incident, speculation over his future has circulated.
Sydney is understood to want to keep the five players who missed the finals run, but Blakey has been linked with a move.
"[Blakey] is not someone we've sat down and discussed," Mackie said.
"I'm aware there's reporting Nick might have interest in us, but I try not to delve into hypotheticals."
Geelong also wants to bring in contracted St Kilda ruckman Rowan Marshall for the second straight season, but will require a trade.
Toby Greene is also set to join the Cats as a free agent on Friday.
Despite a host of players linked to a move to Kardinia Park, emerging defender Lawson Humphries' name has been thrown around.
The Saints put Humphries forward as a potential trade option for Marshall, which Geelong immediately shut down, but Fremantle has lingered as a potential destination.
The Cats don't want to lose Humphries, but the Dockers, especially after their heartbreaking Grand Final defeat, have identified a need for defensive support.
Humphries is also a Western Australian, and the lure of home could be a major factor.
