MIDFIELDER Tom Mitchell has put contract talks with the Sydney Swans on hold for at least the next month to focus on his football.
Mitchell and the Swans were understood to be close to finalising a new long-term deal, but failed to reach a resolution in talks during the club's round 14 bye.
The 23-year-old is set to come off contract at the end of this season and has attracted keen interest in the past from Victorian clubs, particularly Carlton.
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But Mitchell's manager, Phil Mullen of Stride Sports, told AFL.com.au on Monday his client and the Swans remained on track to clinch a new deal.
"We've put things on hold and we'll start again later on in the year, so it's an ongoing thing but we'll have a bit of a break for a while," Mullen said.
"We're reasonably close to where we want to be, both parties, but we'll put it on hold and let Tom concentrate on his football because that's what it's all about.
"The Swans are happy to keep calling and we'll listen and see how we go from there."
Mullen said it was hard to say how long negotiations would be delayed for, but thought it would be for at least a month.
Mitchell has become one of the Swans' most influential on-ballers over the past two seasons, and now comfortably sits alongside the star quartet of Josh Kennedy, Dan Hannebery, Kieren Jack and Luke Parker.
After playing just six senior games in an injury-plagued 2014, Mitchell bounced back last year, averaging 27 possessions a game after earning a recall in round five.
Mitchell has been even better this year, averaging 27.8 touches over the first 13 rounds. He is also first at the Swans and seventh in the AFL for tackles and fourth at the club for centre clearances.