EMERGING Fremantle star Ed Langdon has put contract talks on hold until season's end, opening the door for Victorian clubs to ramp up their pursuit for his signature.
While the Dockers have pitched a long-term deal to the 23-year-old, all negotiations have been parked until at least September.
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Melbourne is understood to be one of the leading contenders attempting to lure Langdon back home to Victoria next season and add outside speed to its midfield.
Industry sources believe Langdon could command up to $500-550,000 per season on the open market.
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Despite strong rival interest he decided to stay at Fremantle and see out the final season of his contract last year and has enjoyed a career-best season at the Dockers.
Langdon is averaging 25.4 disposals per game and is on track for another prominent finish in the Dockers' best and fairest after his fourth-placed effort last year.
His relationship with senior coach Ross Lyon is said to be among the strongest of all current Dockers players and is seen as a major factor in his decision.
Langdon admitted back in April that contract talks would be put on hold until the back half of the season and he has since decided to push them back further.
The Demons have gone public with their desire to recruit more class to their midfield and improve ball use inside 50 after a disappointing start to 2019.
"We have got an inexperienced forward half so anything that's through the midfield, forward of centre that adds a little bit of class to our team would be beneficial," Goodwin told SEN on Wednesday.
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The Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne are others to have expressed interest in Langdon, while Collingwood is also keeping an eye on his movements.
The Pies last year re-signed Langdon's brother Tom until the end of 2021 after he knocked back an offer to move west and play at the Dockers with Ed.
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