Sydney CEO Tom Harley says the Swans are hopeful they can keep contracted forward Tom Papley after he confirmed Papleyโ€™s desire to return home to Melbourne.

It was revealed last week the small forward had personal reasons for wanting to return to Victoria, but Harley said they will do what is best for the Swans.

"Itโ€™s probably not too dissimilar to the (Joe) Daniher situation with the shoe on the other foot really," he told SEN Breakfast.

"Tomโ€™s a contracted player, heโ€™s got a long-term contract with us, came fourth in the club championship and led our goal kicking so heโ€™s a really important player.

"Weโ€™re aware that heโ€™s expressed a desire to get to Melbourne. Thatโ€™s evolved at the same sort of timeline as Joe, theyโ€™re not linked, so Iโ€™d expect our footy department guys to have some conversations with clubs coming to them about Tom.

"Now, thereโ€™s been the link to Carlton, we understand that, we know that, but what we donโ€™t know and what will probably evolve over the next little while is Tomโ€™s keenness to get to Melbourne, but from where the club sits, heโ€™s a contracted player and we will do what is best for the footy club.

"Not at this stage (can I see Papley getting traded), but conversations as far as I know havenโ€™t been had with prospective suitors. We know that he does want to get to Melbourne, he has been clear on that."

While the Swans are reluctant to lose Papley, they will be making a play for contracted Essendon forward Joe Daniher after he expressed a desire to join the Swans late last week.