Sydney Swans might have to stump up as much as $400,000 a season to keep Aliir Aliir

SYDNEY might be on the hunt for Darcy Moore but with the Magpie firming to stay in back and white, their attention might turn to trying to keep a man whose price is heading north.

Sydney Swan Aliir Aliir at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence. Picture: Brett Costello

SYDNEY could have to stump up as much as $400,000 a season to keep Aliir Aliir as their chase for Darcy Moore stalls.

The Sydney defender captivated the league on Sunday, going forward to kick the winning goal after an enthralling match-up with Majak Daw.

Aliir is out of contract at the end of the season, and had been waiting until he was playing regular football to ramp up talks.

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But clubs have been made aware that he could be acquired if they are prepared to pay as much as $400,000 a season.

He was born in a Kenyan refugee camp to South Sudanese parents, settling in Brisbane before eventually moving to Perth in 2013.

The Swans have been in talks with his management, who had made it clear he was keen to play regular senior football.

Is it a bird? Well yes, but Swan Aliir Aliir also had the game in his hands late against North. Pic: Getty Images

Those talks are now likely to ramp up given he has been in excellent form in the past four weeks, averaging 18 possessions and eight marks.

He shapes as an exciting marking defender who also has appeal because of his eye-catching playing style.

Sydney still believes it is in a good position to sign him up, as it works through contracts for Sam Naismith, Jake Lloyd, Heath Grundy and Jarrod McVeigh.

Harley told the Herald Sun last week the club was optimistic about its prospect of re-signing star defender Lloyd.

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“Our conversations are ongoing. We caught up with Alex last week and are really comfortable and confident in the direction those talks are going,’’ he said.

Pies defender Moore said on Sunday he was focusing on his form rather than signing a new deal at the Pies.

But his manager Liam Pickering made clear he expected him to sign on again at Collingwood.

He would join Jordan De Goey, Matthew Scharenberg, James Aish, Ben Reid and Josh Thomas, who this week agreed to a three-year deal.

Darcy Moore is likely to stay a Pie. Pic: Michael Klein

“I’m confident he will re-sign with Collingwood,’’ said Pickering on SEN.

“All I ever said was Sydney have got some interest. There is still some interest there from a number of clubs but I’ve said all along that I’m confident that we will be able to get it done.

“I’ve been in discussions with Collingwood for a number of weeks now, so I’m comfortable where it is all at.

“Are there clubs inquiring about Darcy? Of course there are. Darcy is the flavour of the month now.

“Every player that is young and plays in the position Darcy plays and, like a Jordan De Goey, hits a purple patch of form, is going to be paid more than they’re currently worth.

“That’s just the game. You always pay extra to get guys. If you want to move them, you got to pay extra.”

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Originally published as Sydney Swans might have to stump up as much as $400,000 a season to keep Aliir Aliir