Richmond are targetting star Collingwood defender Darcy Moore as Alex Rance's replacement, according to Channel Seven's Tom Browne.
Set to come out of contract at the end of this season, Browne is reporting that the Tigers will make a "substantial offer" to the 24-year old but also believes he will stay at the Pies.
While the recently retired Rance remains on the Tigers' list for 2020, the club reached a settlement with the five-time All-Australian, freeing up $1.4 million in their salary cap for 2020 and 2021.
(1/2) Richmond’s main target to replace Alex Rance is out of contract pies star defender Darcy Moore. There are good ongoing discussions at Collingwood. Where Moore is still likely to stay.
— Tom Browne (@TomBrowne7) February 17, 2020
(2/2) my understanding is the Tigers have or will make a substantial indicative offer as part of negotiations.
— Tom Browne (@TomBrowne7) February 17, 2020
Moore's manager Liam Pickering said striking a deal with Collingwood wasn't close but that negotiations were ongoing.
Asked on SEN Breakfast if he'd spoken to Richmond, Pickering responded: “No I haven’t.
“We caught up (with Collingwood) again the other week, we’ve still got a bit of work to do. We’re negotiating, which means it’s nowhere near over the line.”
“I’m talking to Ned Guy (Collingwood’s list manager) all the time, him and I have a fantastic relationship. There are a number of things they are trying to do at the moment.
“A couple of people have asked me about that for probably the best part of two months … Richmond along with other clubs that have said they’ve apparently got interest.”
Collingwood have already locked away two of their off-contract stars, with ruckman Brodie Grundy re-signing on a monster seven-year deal and skipper Scott Pendlebury extending his contract for an extra season.
Moore and forward Jordan de Goey remain the two key Pies out of contract at the end of 2020.
