Mega offers flow for Wanganeen-Milera as bidding war heats up
The ante has been upped since the Saints' midfielder's form exploded mid-season and amid a changing player market, with Victorian clubs vying for West Coast's emerging star Harley Reid.
A number competition sources said Port Adelaide's financial offer for Wanganeen-Milera would exceed that of the Crows, who sit second on the ladder with several stars in their line-up and poised to enter a premiership window. Both clubs, however, have presented Wanganeen-Milera with serious options that would secure his financial future.
The mega offers to Wanganeen-Milera from across the border present the 2021 No.10 draft pick with the chance to sign a short-term deal that would carry an option to later sign on for an extended period or lock in a longer-term deal from the start.
The Saints would be open to similar options, but if Wanganeen-Milera is to re-sign it's expected it will only be on a deal lasting two years, not one that locks him to the club for an extended period. The Saints also have big offers in play to attract Carlton's restricted free agent Tom De Koning and the Giants' defender Leek Aleer.
The Saints have considerably upped their offer to Wanganeen-Milera. He now stands to earn more than $1.4 million per season if he stays at the club, where he has a good relationship with coach, Ross Lyon, and teammates.
However, he also has a strong pull of home and close friends from his time playing football in Adelaide, and he will not have to sacrifice any money if he decides to return home.
Reid's asking price, meanwhile, is nudging $2 million per year as agents realise clubs have room to move because the collective bargaining agreement will drive their salary cap up to $18,148,376 per club in 2026.
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