JOE DANIHER has remained tight-lipped on the progress of his contract talks with Essendon as the club attempts to lock its most prized talent into a new deal.

The emerging star forward, who is enjoying a career-best season in his fifth year with the Bombers, falls out of contract at the end of 2017 but is reportedly close to agreeing to a new three-year extension.

That would tie him to the Bombers until the end of 2020, but on Monday the 23-year-old was reluctant to provide an update on how close he was to committing his future to the red and black.

"My management is doing a fantastic job behind closed doors and allowing me to just enjoy football and play football. That's a critical thing for me – to let them do their job, let them work with the club and I can concentrate on playing my best football," Daniher said on Monday after the Bombers' loss to Greater Western Sydney.

"It's a process that has gone on for a long time. I've been here since I was a 15-year-old kid (as part of the Bombers' father-son academy). I'll let them do their job and I'll concentrate on playing football."

Daniher has booted 30 goals in the first half of this year, and is on track to eclipse his previous best tally of 43 goals, which he kicked last season when he was runner up in the club's best and fairest.

Many believe he is the competition's most exciting young forward, with two of his five-goal efforts this season – against Collingwood in round five and Geelong in round eight – seeing him rewarded with best-on-ground trophies.

Such dominant performances have led to suggestions Daniher would be worth more than $1 million a season on the open market, but the father-son Bomber said it was not a discussion he listened to.

"It's a pretty boring cliché, but I'm really here to try get the most out of myself for the footy club," he said.

"There's a lot of speculation about a lot of things out there, so it's just about concentrating on how I can play my best football."

Daniher was speaking after Essendon players gathered to present a cheque donation to former Bombers star Neale Daniher ahead of the Big Freeze at the 'G for Motor Neurone Disease.

Essendon players sported the blue 'Big Freeze' beanies during their recovery training session at Tullamarine, with Neale also keen to see his nephew sign on with the Bombers.

"That's up to Joey and his family. All Essendon supporters and fans, and I'm one of them, would love to see Joey play in the red and black for as long as he wants to," the former Melbourne coach said.

Essendon plays Port Adelaide on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium and will be keen to rebound after two consecutive defeats.