CARLTON skipper Marc Murphy says he is "pretty close" to turning his back on free agency and re-signing with the Blues.
Murphy is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of this season but he told SEN radio on Friday morning he thought he would be a Carlton player for life.
"My manager and the club are pretty close to working out a deal, so not too far off now," Murphy said.
"There are a few boys out of contract and we're all pretty keen to stay together and get it all sorted.
"So it's great that 'Walks' (Andrew Walker) signed up earlier in the week and I'm sure the other boys will get it done pretty soon."
The Blues entered this year with a League-high seven free agents, but cut that to six earlier this week when they re-signed Walker for three years.
Along with Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Michael Jamison, Heath Scotland, Kade Simpson and Jarrad Waite are still set to become free agents at the end of this season.
Of that group, Gibbs, who does not turn 25 until next month, stands out as a prized target for opposition clubs, with reports already linking Adelaide with the former Glenelg player.
But Murphy was confident his close friend would re-sign with the Blues.
"It's a tough one at footy clubs talking about contracts with other guys. I'm pretty close to 'Gibbsy' and from talking to Gibbsy I don't think he'll be going anywhere," Murphy said.
"I think he's pretty keen to stay at Carlton for the rest of his career as well.
"He's just building out the back of Carlton/Carlton North so I'm not too sure he's going to pick up and leave.
"But as you said that's the way free agency is now, clubs are probably going to offer overs to guys to move clubs.
"But Gibbsy knows he's a required player and we'd love to have him."
