SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Tim Taranto of the Giants looks on during a GWS Giants AFL Training Session at Spotless Stadium on September 20, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)

AFL great Matthew Lloyd has declared that St Kilda have identified Giants star Tim Taranto as their number one target this off-season.

The Saints are reportedly looking to beef up their inside midfield stocks and still have an eye for youth over a more seasoned player like Brad Crouch.

It comes as the Giants' off-contract first-round draftees Jackson Hately, Xavier O’Halloran and Jye Caldwell have received heavy interest from rival clubs.

The Giants are also balancing a tight salary cap with several other big names also out-of-contract, including Zac Williams, Aidan Corr and Jeremy Cameron.

Taranto, 22, is out out-of-contract until the end of 2022 after signing a two-year extension in July 2019.

Speaking on Channel Nine's Footy Classified, Lloyd believes the Saints will make a heavy push for Taranto.

“There’s a club in desperate need for an inside midfielder and that’s St Kilda,” Lloyd said.

“I believe they’ll make Tim Taranto the number one magnet that they’re after in this trade period to get across to the Saints to assist Jack Steele.

“He’s the one who they’ve got their eyes on.”

Taranto was drafted by the Giants with Pick 2 in the 2016 AFL Draft from the Sandringham Dragons.

The midfielder has given no indication as to whether or not he would be keen to return to Victoria.

Fellow panellist Caroline Wilson confirmed Lloyd's mail, declaring that Saints list advisor Graeme Allen could play a key role in trying to facilitate a trade for Taranto, having previously worked with him at the Giants.

"I think Matthew (Lloyd)’s information is spot on,” she said.

“I know St Kilda has been targeting an inside midfielder, they’re not interested in something like Brad Crouch as they want youth.

“You just think with Graeme Allen (at St Kilda) as the guru and someone who knows Tim Taranto well, there’s a couple of names I’d heard, and he was one of them.

“If St Kilda lose (their elimination final this week), it’ll be on from next week.”

Taranto averaged 19.3 disposals, 4.1 tackles and four clearances from 11 matches in 2020.