ESSENDON has upped its offer to keep in-demand forward Stewart Crameri by offering him a three-year deal.
AFL.com.au understands the Bombers put forward the contract, having previously only offered a two-year term.
If the 25-year-old signs, it will tie him to the Bombers to the end of the 2016 season.
Crameri is weighing up the Bombers' offer against one from the Western Bulldogs.
AFL.com.au revealed in June the Bulldogs had put together a four-year deal worth up to $1.8 million to lure Crameri to Whitten Oval, where he has a strong relationship with coach Brendan McCartney.
Crameri returned from overseas on Wednesday and is likely to make a decision on his future within the next few weeks.
He led the club's goalkicking for the third consecutive year in 2013, kicking 30 goals from 16 games.
Despite suggestions Essendon players would want to leave the club after the supplements scandal this season, the Bombers recently signed Cale Hooker and Jake Melksham to new deals.
But the club is still waiting for the signature of ruckman Tom Bellchambers, who has attracted the attention of Greater Western Sydney. The Giants have signalled their intention to recruit a ready-made big man.
Tayte Pears, Jason Winderlich, Scott Gumbleton, Kyle Hardingham and Travis Colyer are among other Bombers who remain unsigned.
Veteran defender Dustin Fletcher is understood to be keen on extending his career into 2014.
The club recently stated its confidence of keeping its players.
"We are continuing to work extremely hard to get all of our players who are out of contract to re-sign as soon as possible," list manager Adrian Dodoro said.
"We are very optimistic about the prospects that the guys want to stay with our club and hope they will be able to put pen to paper shortly."
