Melbourne utility Jeremy Howe has requested a trade to Collingwood. 

The high-leaping Demon had been the subject of interest from Gold Coast, North Melbourne and Collingwood in recent weeks but the Pies confirmed their intent to trade for him on Wednesday evening. 

Howe made his call on Thursday afternoon and the Magpies are expecting the two clubs to now work to facilitate a deal. 

However the negotiations may be protracted, as the Demons are understood to prefer to deal with the Suns.

The Suns and Melbourne had discussed the possible trade for Howe with an exchange of early picks, with the Suns holding pick No.3 and the Demons pick No.6.

Howe played 100 games with Melbourne after being selection No.33 in the 2010 NAB AFL Draft.

The Magpies are understood to have hoped forward Ben Kennedy could get to Melbourne as part of a potential trade although the Demons are likely to want to keep any deal for Howe separate.

Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney told NAB AFL Trade Radio the Demons would begin negotiations with Collingwood and use the potential Suns deal as a benchmark for the discussions.

Collingwood is now working on trades to get three players into the club with Adam Treloar and James Aish also nominating the Magpies.