GWS tells Josh Kelly it can’t match North Melbourne’s $9 million offer

JOSH Kelly has been told by GWS it cannot hope to get anywhere near his $9 million rival offer but he could secure an increased offer from the Giants if he’s desperate to stay.

GWS midfielder Josh Kelly has a big decision to make. Picture: Phil Hillyard

GREATER Western Sydney has told Josh Kelly’s management it cannot hope to go anywhere near matching the $9 million deal being offered by North Melbourne.

But if Kelly is prepared to rebuff North Melbourne’s once-in-a-lifetime offer the Giants could up the deal they already have on the table.

The Giants have told Kelly to take as much time as he needs, hopeful he will choose success over guaranteed cash and still end up a fabulously wealthy footballer.

The son of Kangaroos 61-gamer Phil Kelly has had the Giants’ two-year offer — worth $1.2 million — in front of him for some time.

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GWS could easily accommodate the star midfielder on a longer deal, but his management has been alerted it would be impossible for the Giants, because of their salary constraints, to match the tenure or yearly figure reportedly offered by North.

The Giants have continued to re-sign up a number of stars in recent months and were able to secure Brett Deledio from Richmond only when the Tigers paid part of his salary this year.

Josh Kelly in action last week against North Melbourne, which has made him a $9 million offer. Picture: AAP

Kelly potentially could secure an increased offer from the Giants if he makes it clear he is desperate to stay.

His withering form in the first three weeks of the season could result in the Giants making other sacrifices to increase his yearly salary.

The Giants’ hope is that he realises he will still be able to set himself up financially if he rebuffs the North Melbourne deal.

If he could secure a two-year deal worth $1.5 million, his next contracts would factor in CBA increases and still set him up for life.

Star midfielder Dylan Shiel, who re-signed again this week, admitted Kelly’s offer could be a game-changer.

“Josh’s decision is in a league of its own,” he said.

“I’m really close to him and have a lot to do with him outside the footy club.

“I know Josh wants to remain at this footy club and I hope he stays and continues to buy into the footy club.

“He has to consider his life as well and life after footy. It’s an enormous amount of money he has been offered and puts him in a really difficult situation.”

North Melbourne laughed off talk about trading Todd Goldstein this week as part of a potential Kelly deal.

The Goldstein scuttlebutt also ignores the reality GWS could not absorb Goldstein’s lucrative contract and have rucks Shane Mumford and Rory Lobbe on their list.

Mumford is contracted until the end of 2018 and remains a force, with Leon Cameron trying to give Lobbe more ruck time this year.