West Coast are said to have offered two contract options to contracted young gun Harley Reid, who continues to earn interest from Victorian clubs two seasons out from his deal with the Eagles ending.
Reid's rookie contract with the Perth powerhouse has an expiry date at the cessation of the 2026 season, giving the teenager time to assess his options for the future.
The Eagles will be keen to lock away his future as soon as they can, however the anticipated value of rival offers are expectred to see any signing held off until the end of this year at least.
A handful of Victorian clubs, including Essendon and Hawthorn, have already been tied to the Tongala junior, who could become the AFL's highest-paid player with his next contract.
As West Coast plan to retain their former No.1 pick,ย 7 News'ย Mitch Cleary has revealed the Western Australian club has raised two alternative contract options in early talks with Reid and his management.
A five-year deal could be taken that would see Reid signed through to his free agency year, while a shorter two-year option would see him lock in his future and still be able to assess what the back half of his career looks like.
While the Eagles continue to make moves to appease Reid, Essendon have been named as the club best placed to attempt to pry the Victorian out of WA.
"The West Coast Eagles have put two different options in front of Harley Reid and his management in their early talks," Cleary toldย The Agenda Settersย on Tuesday.
"That's a two-year extension or a five-year extension. Two years would give him a short-term option to give him more thought process around where he sees his long-term future with the Eagles, where five years will take him all the way to free agency.
"It's going to have to be at least 1.5 (million dollars per year) to get Harley Reid at the table.
"Essendon is the club that makes the most sense right now. They're having a good crack. Two first-round picks for the Bombers this year, that gives them the upper hand in any negotiations if he decides to leave this year."
Reid's contract situation isn't the only focus for the Eagles this year, with co-captain Oscar Allen eligible for free agency in 2025 and weighing up his options beyond the coming season.
Brisbane and Hawthorn are said to be keen on adding the key forward to their ranks, with a decision from Allen unlikely until the midway point of the year at least.
