But while the resurgent Tigers have an interest in the quick and highly skilled Yarran, they are also among the clubs in the race for Greater Western Sydney's out-of-contract midfielder Adam Treloar, who is understood to be a higher priority for the Tigers and also for rival bidders Collingwood and North Melbourne. Treloar is increasingly likely to leave the Giants at season's end.

Unlike Treloar, Yarran, 24, is under contract for 2016, when he would become a free agent. The Blues, thus, also have the option of keeping Yarran for next year and gambling that another club will seek him as a free agent. If a rival club offered him a large enough contract, the Blues could conceivably earn a first-round compensation selection in return, though this is by no means assured.

Yarran has been the subject of much trade speculation this season, as the Blues begin the process of reshaping their playing list under list manager Stephen Silvagni, with the club keen to gain additional selections in the early rounds of the national draft.

Caretaker coach John Barker has spoken positively about Yarran's future with the club, despite suspending him for a week for disciplinary reasons shortly after Barker took over from Mick Malthouse.

Key position swingman Lachie Henderson remains unsigned and would almost certainly earn Carlton a first-round selection in the draft if he decided to leave. As with Adelaide champion Patrick Dangerfield, Henderson appears Geelong-bound and unlikely to look elsewhere if he decides to leave his club. Treloar has emerged as one of the most keenly sought players in the AFL, the midfielder attracting far heftier offers –  a minimum of five years – from Victorian clubs than GWS's offer, which is restricted by their salary cap limit and the fact they have been so successful in re-contracting other talented young players.

Treloar not only has been offered a much less lucrative deal by GWS, but he can earn the Giants the valuable draft picks and points that would enable them to recruit their prized NSW academy players Jacob Hopper and Matthew Kennedy.

The Cats are also keen to reunite brothers Joel and Scott Selwood, with the latter able to cross to Geelong as a restricted free agent. Selwood is yet to re-sign with West Coast, which wants to keep the tough midfielder and younger brother of the Geelong skipper.

Yarran, an elite ball carrier with speed and excellent disposal, is viewed by many observers as more valuable to a strong team with mature senior players than a younger rebuilding team such as the Blues.