Essendon are reportedly chasing young Port Adelaide midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper according to 7 News Melbourne.
Powell-Pepper had previously been linked to a move back home to Western Australia, however, Channel 7 reported on Wednesday night the Bombers were keen on adding the 21-year-old in a bid to boost the clubs inside midfield stocks.
Essendon's midfield finished the season sitting at 13th in clearances per game across the league while also ranking 13th in the league for tackles per game.
Powell-Pepper would certainly help the Bombers improve these categories, as the former 18th pick ranks third at the Power for tackles per game with 4.8, while also gaining 351.7 metres per contest with his explosion out of stoppages.
The young onballer is still contracted for the 2020 season, however, Port Adelaide may be keen to make some changes after a disappointing 2019 season.
Former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes has previously said the club should look at trading Powell-Pepper.
"He is the one player I would absolutely put on the trade table and I’d make that a priority," said Cornes on SEN SA Breakfast.
"He’s aggressive, he finds enough of the ball, he’s a great tackler, his ball use lets him down, but with the midfield mix I would explore."
Powell-Pepper is still an up-and-coming talent, playing 57 games since debuting in 2017.
However, Powell-Pepper has missed games recently due to poor form and was suspended in 2018 after inappropriately touching a woman while intoxicated in an Adelaide bar.
Given his age, the Power will still be looking to for a fair amount in exchange for the 188 centimetre midfielder should Essendon approach the club during the trade period.
