The Gold Coast Suns have moved to safeguard their future by locking down one of the AFL’s hottest young talents.

Meanwhile the trade saga involving Fremantle star Adam Cerra shows no signs of slowing down.

Get the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade Whispers!

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SUNS MOVE TO LOCK IN YOUNG GUN AS RIVALS CIRCLE

The Gold Coast Suns will reportedly move to fight off rivals and lock down key forward Ben King over the summer.

According to the Gold Coast Bulletin, the Suns will put an offer on the table to the 21-year-old as they look to shape their future around no.6 pick in the 2018 draft.

King has made a strong start to his AFL career, kicking 89 goals in his first three seasons and finishing equal seventh in the Coleman Medal ladder in 2021.

Coming off contract at the end of the 2022 season, King would be top of a host of rival clubs’ trade hit list with the Bombers expected to be at the head of the queue.

While Essendon broke its finals drought and finished in the top eight, there were persistent concerns raised over the forward line. Support is needed for Peter Wright and emerging star harrison Jones with King seen as the best option.

In August, veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson suggested the Bombers make a play for King who she declared ‘people feel is gettable’ while Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes said he would “absolutely a target for them.”

St Kilda has also been linked to King, whose brother Max is contracted with until the end of 2026.

Despite the interest, Kings management has poured cold water on suggestion he would move ahead of his current deal expiring.

“The inquiries have come thick and fast for Ben, but clubs have been told not to bother asking about him until next year, he just wants to focus on his game and that message has also been relayed to Gold Coast,” SEN reporter Sam Edmund reported last month.

“They believe in all their dealings that Ben has given no indication that he’s thinking of anything other than staying at the Suns.

“This is a big watch this space moving forward.”

CERRA ‘IMPRESSED’ WITH SUITOR AS TRADE SAGA TAKES TWIST

The Adam Cerra trade saga continues to rumble with reports the Dockers star was “really impressed” with a pitch from the Melbourne Demons.

Carlton, who hold pick No.6 in the upcoming draft, had emerged as the front runner for Cerra, who has been offered a $3 million deal by the Dockers, only for the 2021 grand finalists to muscle into the race.

“When it comes to Adam Cerra, (he) hasn’t nominated his club of choice yet because Melbourne have really come hard for him,” SEN’s Sam Edmund revealed this week.

“They’ve made their pitch, it was a pitch that really impressed Adam Cerra.”

With no first-round picks to offer Fremantle, Edmund said a player would need to be part of any deal with Angus Brayshaw and Luke Jackson emerging as potential pieces.

“Carlton are in the mix and the logical choice here but the Dees not having a pick until the second round… it’s going to take a player to make any trade possible here. Picks obviously aren’t going to get it done. Is it Angus Brayshaw?”,” Edmund said.

Brayshaw’s brother Andrew is currently at the Dockers while Jackson is originally from West Australia.

Brayshaw, however, dismissed speculation he would be heading to Fremantle.

“It seems like every year I am coming to Freo,” Brayshaw told The West Australian.

“It would be a disservice to my teammates to even think about anything other than the Melbourne Football Club. I’m contracted until next year, I love my teammates and I have no intention of going anywhere.”

Demons chief executive Gary Pert, meanwhile, declared 19-year-old ruckman Jackson would not be used in a trade for Cerra.

“In regards to Luke Jackson, Fremantle and every other club ... we love him and he’s going to be with us for a long time,” Pert said on 3AW

“We haven’t seen anything yet. Some of the stuff that he can do, his body is still very young, he hasn’t ever properly grown into it yet.

“He’s going to be a superstar with each year that he develops. He’s very exciting.”