Daniel Wells weighing up his future at North Melbourne, yet to sign a new contract

NORTH Melbourne faces a nervous wait as gun midfielder Daniel Wells weighs up his future, as he remains unsigned beyond this season.

Daniel Wells is still weighting up his future. Picture: Michael Klein

NORTH Melbourne faces a nervous wait as gun midfielder Daniel Wells weighs up his future.

The silky playmaker remains unsigned beyond this season and has reportedly attracted strong interest from Collingwood.

Wells’ manager Liam Pickering said he would meet the 31-year-old next week to plan the next step.

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“I will catch up with Daniel next week we will go through it,” Pickering said.

“We are negotiating with North Melbourne as we speak. If we can negotiate a deal he will (stay).”

North has already made the bold call to farewell four veterans but remain determined to keep Wells as they plot an “aggressive reset”.

Daniel Wells in action against the Western Bulldogs. Picture: George Salpigtidis

But the Kangas may be forced to increase their original offer to the two-time best and fairest winner as Collingwood look to add another layer of midfield polish.

His line breaking run and devastating ball use would appeal strongly to Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley as the Magpies prepare for a make-or-break 2017 campaign.

After some nightmare Achilles problems last season, Wells has bounced back strongly this season, averaging 23 disposals over 18 regular season games.

Wells is a free agent, meaning Collingwood does not have to give up anything to acquire the speedster.

The Magpies have also been linked to another free agent, Fremantle’s Chris Mayne, Kangas’ veteran Nick Dal Santo and Richmond ruck man Ivan Maric.

The Pies are expected to have as much as an extra $900,000 in their salary cap to spend on acquiring rival talent after three years outside the eight.

Nick Dal Santo is also being pursued by Collingwood.

Collingwood’s proactive approach is a clear sign of its determination to become a genuine premiership contender over the next three seasons.

Travis Cloke is set to cross to Western Bulldogs, potentially in exchange for a third-round draft pick, while Dane Swan has also retired, saving the Pies some cash.

Yet, without a first-round pick in this year’s draft, the Pies will have to mine the free agency pool to secure some top talent, rather than the trade table.

Collingwood full back Nathan Brown and back-up ruckman Jarrod Witts remain unsigned for next season.

Without Dal Santo or Brent Harvey, Wells again faces the prospect of being heavily tagged in a North Melbourne side that is tipped to be on the decline next season.

Originally published as Daniel Wells weighing up his future at North Melbourne, yet to sign a new contract