Earlier this year, Higgins put contract talks with the Bulldogs on hold to the end of the season.
But nearly four weeks have now passed since the Bulldogs' 2014 season finished and Higgins and the club have yet to reach a new deal.
It is understood the Bulldogs have not been prepared to increase the length of the two-year deal they offered to Higgins earlier this season despite the utility's preference for a longer contract.
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However, North is keen to lure Higgins to Arden Street and could offer him a lengthier deal.
If he were to leave, Higgins could also expect a pay rise on the $350,000-$400,000 a season he earned under his most recent deal with the Bulldogs.
Higgins has attracted interest from a number of clubs this year, most notably Carlton and Geelong, but the Roos have emerged as his most likely new home.
Carlton recently withdrew from the race for Higgins and Geelong is understood to be focusing its energies on landing Melbourne free agent James Frawley.
North cannot make a formal offer to Higgins until the free agency period opens next Friday (October 3).
Given Higgins is a restricted free agent, the Bulldogs have the right to keep him by matching the terms of any rival offer. But in the previous two years of free agency, no club has exercised this right.
The 26-year-old's career has been plagued by injury.
A broken foot restricted him to three games in 2013 and he was plagued by the groin condition osteitis pubis earlier in his career.
But Higgins enjoyed a better run this season, missing just two senior games, when he was dropped to the VFL in rounds 17 and 18.
The Bulldogs played the 186cm utility primarily across half-back this season, but he is equally at home in the midfield or attack.
Higgins was pick No.11 in the 2005 national draft and has played 129 matches for the Bulldogs and kicked 128 goals.
Shaun Higgins in action during the 2014 season. Picture: AFL Media
