Geelong midfielder Allen Christensen is set to seek a trade to a Queensland-based club "purely for personal reasons".
Geelong confirmed Christensen had requested a trade in a statement released at noon on Wednesday.
"Allen Christensen has expressed a desire to continue his career elsewhere due to non-football reasons," the club statement said.
"The club is considering its position in relation to Allen's request."
Christensen's manager, Tim Hazell of Velocity Sports, said his client was seeking a trade "purely for personal reasons".
"He simply feels that at 23 he wants a fresh start to his football elsewhere," Hazell said.
"We will work through this process with the club in the hope of securing an outcome satisfactory to both parties."
Lions recruitment manager Peter Schwab told AFL.com.au on Wednesday morning he had spoken with Hazell about Christensen's desire to relocate to Queensland.
But Schwab said any trade to the Lions would be 'hypothetical' while the club was locked in negotiations to secure Collingwood midfielder Dayne Beams.
"We were made aware of that late last night, but right at this time, no, we haven't spoken to [Christensen] and we're trying to get the Dayne Beams deal done," Schwab said.
"I think he's a very good young player, there's no doubt about that.
"I had a chat to his manager, Tim Hazell, but as I said to him, right at the moment we've got to keep our eyes on the Beams deal and get that secured."
Gold Coast preferred not to comment when contacted by AFL.com.au on Wednesday morning until the club had further information.
The Suns hold three draft picks inside the opening 30 picks – No. 8, 15 and 29 – giving it a strong position.
On NAB AFL Trade Radio on Wednesday Lions CEO Greg Swann confirmed the club's interest in the dynamic Cat.
"It's very early days, but obviously if [Christensen] wanted to come this way we'd be very interested," he said.
"From our point of view, we're looking to add to our list … but it's very, very early days, and I don't even know whether Geelong knows this is happening or what their thoughts are.
"And obviously the Gold Coast would be in the mix as well, I'd assume, if he just wants to go to Queensland.
"To be perfectly honest, we haven't got 100 per cent of the detail as to why and what's happening there. On the surface, he's a seriously good player and we'd love to have him if everything else works out."
Swann said securing Beams remained a priority, with ongoing dialogue between the Magpies and Lions.
"They've been a little bit side-tracked [with other deals]," Swann said.
"We've looked at maybe offering a second-round pick [as well as pick five] and doing some things with that."
Christensen has played 65 games with the Cats since he was taken with pick No. 40 in the 2009 NAB AFL Draft.
He was a member of the 2011 premiership team, but was restricted to eight games this year after having back surgery.
