Dyson Heppell looks to extend his contract in the new year to stay at Essendon.
According to the Herald Sun, the Dons leader will sign a two-year contract extension which will take him out of the star-studded 2020 free agency pool.
The list includes Magpies star ruckman Brodie Grundy, GWS playmaker Lachie Whitfield and Heppell's talented teammate Joe Daniher.
Bombers list boss Adrian Dodoro has reportedly held successful talks with Heppell's manager, Marty Pask from i50 Management.
This new deal will make Heppell one of this highest paid players on Essendon's list as he finished 5th in the club's 2019 Best and Fairest awards.
The 169-game on-baller dealt with a debilitating foot issue throughout the last half of the 2019 season and has had offseason surgery to remedy it.
The growth plate injury meant he was severely restricted with his training as he spent a lot of time in a moonboot.
Heppell's contract discussion will add to the stories heading into 2020, as Joe Daniher is yet to commit long-term to the club as well as Essendon disappointingly losing in an elimination final against West Coast.
