Sydney star Chad Warner has reportedly baulked at a tabled contract extension from the Swans, with the midfielder hitting pause on negotiations with the New South Wales club.
While not off-contract until next year, Warner looms as a retention priority at Sydney following the club's successful re-signing spree that included the signature of Errol Gulden, James Rowbottom and Oliver Florent.
The Swans are still needing to lock away Will Hayward and Logan McDonald beyond 2024, however the club is confident in having Hayward recommit despite high levels of interest.
Sydney CEO Tom Harley recently spoke on the club's likelihood of having both Hayward and Warner re-sign beyond their current contracts.
“We're confident that Will will stay with the Swans,” Harley told SEN last week.
“There's obviously a negotiation to be had and it's never over the line until it is done, but what I can say about Will is he is really keen to stay.
“[Chad is] clearly a priority player for us going forward. He does have another year on his contract.
“When you're working through your list and your priorities, he's right at the top of that.”
According to The Age, Warner declined an offer to extend in the red and white earlier this year and has put contract talks on hold.
The Western Australian would garner significant interest from clubs in his home state if Warner was to remain without a deal for 2026 early into next year.
West Coast would likely be ready to stump up a high fee for Warner given their needs in midfield, with the 23-year-old emerging as one of the premier onballers in the competition in 2024.
The Eagles' football boss Gavin Bell told The Age the club would be keen to acquire his services if Warner sought a move back to WA.
"We are aware that Chad has 18 months left on his current contract with Sydney," Bell said.
"If Chad wishes to return to Perth at any point to continue his career, we would love to have him play at our Club."
Warner's start to the 2024 season has seen the Willetton product rival Brownlow favourite Isaac Heeny's form in John Longmire's midfield, particularly in the past month.
The explosive midfielder is averaging 25.33 disposals and three goals per game in his past three matches to be one of the best midfielders in the league on current form
Warner currently sits sixth on Zero Hanger's MVP leaderboard after Round 11, polling 106 votes to be tied with Carlton captain Patrick Cripps.
