Ross Greer 'seriously considering' Scottish Green leadership
However, he has stressed he is still considering his position, with conversations within the party ongoing.
Patrick Harvie announced he will step down from the post, with a replacement likely to be selected at the end of the summer.
Party rules means at least one of the co-leaders must be female, with Lorna Slater confirming she is standing to remain in post.
Gillian Mackay, the party's health spokesperson, has also confirmed her leadership bid.
It has been widely expected Mr Greer will stand after he played a significant role in the Bute House Agreement which meant the Scottish Greens entered government for the first time.
Read more:
Gillian Mackay announces bid to be Scottish Greens co-leader
Slater: 'Greens face legitimate questions on new Bute House deal'
Lorna Slater 'risks reputational damage' to Scottish Greens
Succession struggle: Greens brace for leadership bunfight
Mr Greer told The Herald: 'I am speaking to a lot of people at the moment who have asked for a conversation with me because they are keen for me to run but I want to really understand what party members want and if that aligns with the kind of Green Party that I want, then absolutely, I will seriously consider it.'
He added: 'Quite a few members have approached me to ask if I am considering it and to encourage me to stand which is always really nice to hear.'
'I have the opportunity now, over the next few weeks, to think about it,' he said.
'But what I really want to hear from Green Party members about, is what do they want the party to be? I think this is an opportunity for us to make some strategic decisions on the kind of party that we want to be.
'I want the party to grow, I don't think that we can hold off the far-right, or achieve eco-socialism in Scotland on 10% of the vote. I want to have a debate within our party about how we grow our support across the country, so I need to make a decision sooner rather than later.'
However, the party has been plagued with infighting in recent weeks, with The Herald hearing from various sources about growing discontent around the current approach.
Insiders warned against the 'continuity' route, with Mr Greer seen by some activists as that due to his close links to Mr Harvie and Ms Slater.
An insider said last month: 'I think the idea that Ross just slots in and we continue as we have been would be a poor decision and it would be naïve to think it wouldn't end the same as the SNP and then we'd have to rethink our leadership in a year's time.'
Another also warned Ms Slater's bid risked 'reputational damage' to the party if she stood and lost.
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