North Melbourne will not always confirm or deny trade rumours and the details relating to the club in this article have not been approved or ratified by it.
Essendon is yet to accept Fremantle's offer of pick No.58 for Scott Gumbleton, with the NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft looming as an option if a trade is not confirmed ahead of Friday's 2pm deadline.
The Bombers have also confirmed former Geelong star Paul Chapman will join the club in 2014 as a delisted free agent.
After extensive medical testing and interviews, Gumbleton and Fremantle have agreed to terms for 2014, with the 25-year-old now holidaying overseas.
The Dockers first offered pick No.58 to the Bombers six days ago when it received the selection from Melbourne in exchange Viv Michie, and AFL.com.au understands the offer will not change.
It is a selection that would not be used by Fremantle at this year's NAB AFL Draft, but it would likely be Essendon's second selection after it was stripped of prime draft picks following the supplements scandal.
The Dockers appear prepared to pursue Gumbleton through the Pre-Season Draft if necessary, with little opposition to snare the West Australian, who has an extensive injury history.
The Bombers are also negotiating a deal for forward Stewart Crameri, who remains committed to getting to the Western Bulldogs in a deal that will involve pick No.26.
Paul Connors, who manages both Gumbleton and Crameri, said Essendon was attempting to involve a third club in the Crameri talks.
He said the Bombers were simply trying to get the best deal for themselves.
"Everyone is adamant about their position and I am just trying to facilitate it," Connors told Gillette AFL Trade Radio.
If no trade is arranged for Crameri before Friday's 2pm deadline, then he would also get to his preferred club via the Pre-Season Draft, but Connors said common sense would prevail.
The Dockers first offered pick No.58 to the Bombers six days ago when it received the selection from Melbourne in exchange Viv Michie, and AFL.com.au understands the offer will not change.
It is a selection that would not be used by Fremantle at this year's NAB AFL Draft, but it would likely be Essendon's second selection after it was stripped of prime draft picks following the supplements scandal.
The Dockers appear prepared to pursue Gumbleton through the Pre-Season Draft if necessary, with little opposition to snare the West Australian, who has an extensive injury history.
The Bombers are also negotiating a deal for forward Stewart Crameri, who remains committed to getting to the Western Bulldogs in a deal that will involve pick No.26.
Paul Connors, who manages both Gumbleton and Crameri, said Essendon was attempting to involve a third club in the Crameri talks.
He said the Bombers were simply trying to get the best deal for themselves.
"Everyone is adamant about their position and I am just trying to facilitate it," Connors told Gillette AFL Trade Radio.
If no trade is arranged for Crameri before Friday's 2pm deadline, then he would also get to his preferred club via the Pre-Season Draft, but Connors said common sense would prevail.
Meanwhile, Bombers list managed Adrian Dodoro told essendonfc.com.au that Chapman would join the club on November 1 when the delisted free agency period opened.
"It's taking a bit of time but we're finally getting there in terms of getting him on the list," Dodoro said.
St Kilda and the Brisbane Lions remain locked in talks over young ruckman Billy Longer, who appears likely to make his way to the Saints in exchange for pick No.25.
It is understood the Saints won't improve their offer for the 20-year-old, despite also holding picks No.18 and No.19 in the NAB AFL Draft.
The Lions continue to juggle several balls in the air, with it increasingly likely they will sign off on a number of deals on the final day of the Trade Period.
It is understood there are agreements in place sending Elliot Yeo to West Coast for pick No.28 and Sam Docherty to Carlton for pick No.33.
A deal sending Jared Polec to Port Adelaide, however, is likely to take until Friday, with the Power involving a third party.
The most likely scenario now involves Port Adelaide trading pick No.14 to a third club for two selections in the 20s, with the Power keeping one and the Lions receiving the other for Polec.
Chapman, 31, was cut by the Cats at the end of this season after 251 games.
He will re-unite with former Geelong coach Mark Thompson at the Bombers.
St Kilda and the Brisbane Lions remain locked in talks over young ruckman Billy Longer, who appears likely to make his way to the Saints in exchange for pick No.25.
It is understood the Saints won't improve their offer for the 20-year-old, despite also holding picks No.18 and No.19 in the NAB AFL Draft.
The Lions continue to juggle several balls in the air, with it increasingly likely they will sign off on a number of deals on the final day of the Trade Period.
It is understood there are agreements in place sending Elliot Yeo to West Coast for pick No.28 and Sam Docherty to Carlton for pick No.33.
A deal sending Jared Polec to Port Adelaide, however, is likely to take until Friday, with the Power involving a third party.
The most likely scenario now involves Port Adelaide trading pick No.14 to a third club for two selections in the 20s, with the Power keeping one and the Lions receiving the other for Polec.
GWS (picks No.21 and 22) and Gold Coast (picks No. 20 and 27) are the only two clubs with multiple picks in the 20s after St Kilda traded its No.24 pick to Hawthorn in a deal for pick No.19.
Pat Karnezis, meanwhile, could still reach his preferred club of Collingwood, despite interest from North Melbourne, which was considering offering its third round selection (No.47 overall) for the midfielder.
The Magpies have two picks within the top 10 but their next selection is pick No.67.
Collingwood reached an in-principle agreement with GWS on Wednesday, trading Heath Shaw to the Giants in exchange for Taylor Adams, with the paperwork set to be processed on Thursday.
The Magpies are also committed to securing Sydney Swans forward Tony Armstrong, with the 24-year-old expected to join the club as a delisted free agent.
While Jed Lamb has committed to joining GWS, the Giants and Swans are yet to reach an agreement confirming the trade.
AFL.com.au understands the Giants' pick No.48, which it received from Essendon on Tuesday, could be offered for Lamb, who was selected with pick No.21 in the 2010 Draft.
Pat Karnezis, meanwhile, could still reach his preferred club of Collingwood, despite interest from North Melbourne, which was considering offering its third round selection (No.47 overall) for the midfielder.
The Magpies have two picks within the top 10 but their next selection is pick No.67.
Collingwood reached an in-principle agreement with GWS on Wednesday, trading Heath Shaw to the Giants in exchange for Taylor Adams, with the paperwork set to be processed on Thursday.
The Magpies are also committed to securing Sydney Swans forward Tony Armstrong, with the 24-year-old expected to join the club as a delisted free agent.
While Jed Lamb has committed to joining GWS, the Giants and Swans are yet to reach an agreement confirming the trade.
AFL.com.au understands the Giants' pick No.48, which it received from Essendon on Tuesday, could be offered for Lamb, who was selected with pick No.21 in the 2010 Draft.
Finally, delisted Geelong defender Josh Hunt will add to the Giants' stocks of experience after GWS football manager Graeme Allan confirmed the deal on Gillette Trade Radio.
Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
Twitter: @AFL_Nathan
