Carlton denies Travis Cloke offer, move to move to keep Chris Yarran

CARLTON has distanced itself from reports it has offered a five-year, $5 million deal to Collingwood's Travis Cloke.

CARLTON has distanced itself from reports it has offered a five-year, $5 million deal to Collingwood's Travis Cloke.

The Blues yesterday were emphatic that no offer had been tabled.

"I am the the chief executive and I think I'd know if that had happened," Blues chief executive Greg Swann said.

Football manager Andrew McKay did make inquiries with Cloke's manager Ralph Carr weeks ago, along the lines of that if talks broke down with Collingwood, then Carlton would be interested in having a discussion.

The Blues strongly believe Cloke will stay at the Magpies.

Former Carlton coach Robert Walls said yesterday the Blues should make a play for Cloke because they lacked a key forward.

Carlton, meanwhile, is close to securing Chris Yarran to a new contract.

It's believed the length of the contract is the only issue to be resolved and that will be decided when Yarran's manager Paul Connors returns to Melbourne from holidays.

Yarran, who returned to his best against the Magpies on Friday night, is being offered a three-year deal at about $1 million.