West Coast coach Andrew McQualter said the club will stay "open" in a pursuit of Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale, but was reluctant to say more.
Neale will become a free agent at season's end, with the Lions understanding if the two-time Brownlow medallist were to return to Western Australia amid personal issues throughout the off-season.
McQualter acknowledged the need to continue improving the Eagles' list after securing a fourth consecutive bottom-three finish, as well as getting help for its young core.
"Lachie's had an incredible career. He's an incredible player. So I think that we're always on the lookout for players that will help our team," McQualter told AFL Media.
"We'll stay open to that. That's what the industry is, and that's what free agency is, but I probably won't comment too publicly on it.
"I think consistently we'll try and get as much talent in the door whichever way we can."
West Coast have attacked the draft hard in recent seasons, landing Harley Reid and Willem Duursma with Pick 1, while Cooper Duff-Tytler, Reuben Ginbey, Elijah Hewett and Bo Allan are all first-round picks.
However, since McQualter took over the Eagles, they've added established talent such as Brandon Starcevich, Liam Baker, Jack Graham, Matt Owies and Tylar Young to support the youth.
Mid-season draftee Tom McCarthy is emerging as a gun, while the extra list vacancies made via the AFL's assistance package saw the likes of Deven Robertson, Finlay Macrae and Harry Schoenberg receive top-flight lifelines.
Neale, pending his departure, could continue bolstering the Eagles' experience, helping take off the heat from the emerging talent.
Despite his obvious links to Fremantle, a move back west would likely see West Coast in the box seat, as the Dockers boast a midfield group of Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw, Hayden Young and Shai Bolton.
