Reports have emerged from AFL Media that exciting Bomber Orazio Fantasia is keen to return to South Australia.
However, being contracted until the end of the 2021 season, the South Australian clubs would need to trade for Fantasia in the off-season to pry him away.
So what exactly is his worth?
There is no doubt that Essendon will play hard ball with their young gun. Outside of maybe Zach Merrett, Fantasia is the club's most promising youngster, and on his day, a match winner.
While having all the potential in the world does not necessarily translate to future stardom, expect the Bombers to value Fantasia very highly, especially given that he is just 23 years old.
It is hard to gauge Fantasia's real trade value. He has displayed flashes of brilliance but has never put it all together.
The silky forward's best goal-kicking tally over a season is 39 and his biggest bag in a single match is five majors.
Injuries haltered his 2018 season, booting 20 goals from 13 games, and this year he has kicked 15 goals from nine games.
Potential is the key with Fantasia, but would a club be willing to mortgage their future assets away for him?
A first-round pick would be a non-negotiable. The Bombers traded away their first-rounder in this year's draft as part of the Dylan Shiel trade and would command to get one back in any trade.
The second part of this would be the sticking point.
Knowing how difficult the Bombers can be to trade with, it would come as no surprise if they were to command a second first-round pick. But the only way they could come even come close top pulling this off is if they sent back a second-round pick themselves.
Traditionally, two first-round picks have been the price for ready-made stars, such as Shiel, Adam Treloar, Dayne Beams and Bryce Gibbs. Unfortunately for Essendon, Fantasia does not fall under that category.
Realistically, Essendon could expect a first and second-rounder in return.
What could make it interesting is if out-of-favour Power ruckman and former Bomber Paddy Ryder got thrown into discussions.
The 31-year-old was recently dropped to the SANFL and there have been whispers that he could be dealt at the end of the season in a win-win for he and Port Adelaide
The Power could offer the Bombers a trade package of a first-rounder, a second-rounder and Paddy Ryder for Fantasia and a third-rounder in return.
If the Power plays out the season and decide Ryder is no longer a part of their best 22, they would essentially be flipping some depth and two picks for Fantasia and a pick. And after stocking up on early picks in last year's draft to acquire the likes Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma, the club is already loaded with youth.
The Bombers get picks and a seasoned ruckman, who is an upgrade on Tom Bellchambers. The Power get serious star power in the forward half to help Charlie Dixon and a successor for the ageing Robbie Gray. Who says no?
Proposed Fantasia trade
Bombers get: Paddy Ryder, first-round pick, second-round pick
Power get: Orazio Fantasia, third-round pick
