MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 25: Adam Saad of the Suns runs with the ball away from Sam Gilbert of the Saints during the round 14 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Gold Coast Suns at Etihad Stadium on June 25, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Essendon looks to be the destination club of 2017, with as many as three players now seemingly keen to be Bombers players next season.

Following news that GWS small forward Devon Smith has nominated the Bombers as his preferred destination and reports Jake Stringer will do the same in the coming days, Gold Coast defender Adam Saad now also looks set to announce the Dons as his club of choice.

Multiple reports, including FoxSports and AFL Trade Radio, have indicated that Saad has informed the Suns he wants to be traded to Essendon.

News broke earlier this week that Saad had told the Suns of his desire to return home to Victoria for family reasons, with the Bombers and Blues reportedly both in the race.

Saad, recruited with pick 25 in the 2014 Rookie Draft, has played 48 games in three years with the Suns and become an integral part of the side's backline with his explosive run and carry off half-back.