GEELONG has given out-of-contract star midfielder Steven Motlop space as he weighs up his playing future.

The Cats are hopeful the 24-year-old will commit long-term and negotiations between the club and Motlop's management have been ongoing for the past three to four months.

Motlop, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has attracted plenty of interest from opposition clubs looking to add a skilful and speedy player to their side. 

"We are working on getting a deal done," Cats football manager Steve Hocking told SEN on Thursday evening.

"What we tend to do down here (at Geelong) is we make sure we're not putting too much pressure on the player, as far as, 'Here's a deadline, you need to make sure we know what you're doing'". 

Hocking said that was the same policy the club took with Tom Hawkins, who's new five-year deal was announced by the club on Thursday. 

He said it would be no different with Motlop.

"With Steve we've given him the space to work through some of the considerations. With him it could be that he's looking to spend quite a significant bit of time here or he could sign for two or three years," Hocking said. 

"In the meantime he's got a commitment for this year and he needs to play his best football."

The talented midfielder signed a two-year deal with the Cats in September of 2013. 

Motlop has played 79 games with Geelong since being drafted with pick No.39 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft, overcoming significant shoulder problems early in his career.

Motlop has bounced back from a one-game club-imposed suspension for drinking just days before the Cats' season-opining clash with Hawthorn on Easter Monday to average a career-high 21.4 disposals this season. 

He has also kicked 17 goals in 2015 to take his overall tally to 106 goals since making his debut in round one, 2010.