Channel Nine’s The Footy Show reported Thursday night that Franklin would be offered $9 million across six years to join expansion club Greater Western Sydney next season.
However his manager, Liam Pickering said he’s yet to see a formal proposal from any rival club for his client, a free agent at season’s end.
“I haven’t got that offer yet,” Pickering said of the GWS offer on Crocmedia’s AFL Live.
“I have got an offer, yes, which is from the Hawthorn Football Club. (I’ve had) no other offers at this stage.
“I’ve had a number of clubs make initial contact but I haven’t got any offers at all, not really serious discussions. More of a ‘would he, probably not but we thought we’ve got to ask’.
“You’ve got to look at it, what can a Melbourne based club afford, given what Hawthorn have offered.
“(They would say) we’ve got to beat it by a fair whack. For him to leave Hawthorn for another Melbourne based club doesn’t make a lot of sense."
Pickering said the Herald Sun's front page story on May 23 didn’t sit well with the superstar forward.
“I think the events of last week, with that front page story of the Herald Sun, they’re the sort of things that annoy Buddy,” Pickering said.
“However that’s not going to go away wherever he goes. He’s a big name, he stands out in a crowd, he’s six foot six, he’s got tattoos, he understand that.
“Certainly, the spotlight of Melbourne, even going back middle of last year when he had the speeding fine in his street and all of a sudden they were all camped outside his house. They’re the things he finds difficult.
“If it’s a pure decision, then there’s no issue with Hawthorn. My gut feel is I think he’ll stay.”
