THE SYDNEY Swans’ hopes of keeping Ryan O’Keefe in the red and white next season appear slim after the club’s manager of player personnel Stuart Maxfield confirmed on Monday the star forward wanted to be traded to a Melbourne club.

Emerging from the first day of talks at Telstra Dome in AFL trade week, Maxfield said he hoped the man who was awarded life membership to the Swans last week changed his mind but at this stage he might be flying south.

“Ryan’s indicated to us that he wants to seek a trade in Melbourne,” Maxfield said.

“Look we’ve still got a great relationship with Ryan … we’ve just gone through the process today of seeing what can come about but to be honest no-one’s really come [up] with anything formal at the moment.”

Maxfield said O’Keefe had met with senior coach Paul Roos on Friday but had come to his decision to seek a trade over the weekend.

Asked if the Swans had given up hope of having the talented left-footer at the club in 2009, Maxfield replied: “Oh no, I don’t think so.”

“He’s indicated what his intentions are,” he said.

“If, at the end of the week nothing happens, we believe we can hopefully keep him on board as a Sydney Swans player.”

Day one of trade week was, as usual, very much a period of sounding out from all 16 AFL clubs.

If, as the Swans seemingly expect, O’Keefe stays true to his intent and wants a change of scenery, Maxfield said the club would want to be ably compensated for the former All-Australian.

“Look he’s a super player, he’s a highly-rated player,” Maxfield said.

“I would think as a starting point, a first-round selection would be a fair deal … no-one’s really come to anything formal today.

“Understandably every club’s probably just getting a feel for what’s going to happen throughout the week.”