Gold Coast and Geelong have held trade talks over Gary Ablett with a deal ‘likely’ according to the Suns

GOLD Coast and Geelong have held talks about a trade to send superstar Gary Ablett back to the Cattery, with a number of Cats players raised as potentially being part of the deal.

The Cats and Suns have held talks about a trade for Gary Ablett. Picture: Michael Klein

GOLD Coast says it is “likely” Gary Ablett will be at Geelong next season.

But Suns list manager Scott Clayton stopped short of rubberstamping the homecoming trade.

Suns and Cats officials met on Monday at Etihad Stadium to ramp up discussions around the 33-year-old dual Brownlow medallist.

“We’ll catch up with them again in a couple days,” Clayton said.

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“It’s more likely (get trade done), most do, but there’s some work to do.

“No doubt about that, we’re not quite at the finishing line.”

Clayton said the Cats dangled players and picks up for trade but refused to reveal any names.

Geelong forward Steven Motlop has been linked to the Suns previously but the speedster looks to be bound for Adelaide after going on a tour of Crows’ headquarters on Monday.

The Cats and Suns have held talks about a trade for Gary Ablett. Picture: Michael Klein

The Suns have been interested in out-of-favour Cats forward Darcy Lang but the 21 year-old has expressed a desire to stay in Melbourne, if possible.

“They have (named players) but am I prepared to say who? Not really,” Clayton said.

“It’s not fair to bandy names around and we wouldn’t.

“If you’re going to have some confidential conversations you’d better keep them that way, in good faith, as we will.

“To think that anything will be done in the first couple of hours of day one is probably not realistic.”

Ablett’s return could supercharge Geelong’s premiership prospects and give coach Chris Scott greater flexibility with midfield and forward rotations.

Scott spent about an hour behind closed doors on Monday at Etihad Stadium but according to Clayton played no part in Ablett talks.

Darcy Lang has attracted interest from Gold Coast but the Cat would prefer to stay in Melbourne.

Ablett aired intentions early in the season to walk out on the Suns with one year left on a lucrative front-ended contract.

The 33 year-old suggested he would be willing to retire unless the Suns brokered a deal with Geelong.

Clayton on Monday was not willing to go into the financial implications.

“I’m not going to discount that that’s been raised and it’s one of the situations that we’ll work through,” Clayton said.

The Suns could be forced to include a third club to ensure all parties get a favourable result.

“I’m big on the fact in this trade period it’s not always a straight line,” Clayton said.

“Often you need to go outside and then come back in.

“You do a net result of what’s gone out and what’s gone in.”