Sydney midfielder Tom Mitchell has put contract talks with the Swans on hold as rival AFL clubs circle.
The 23-year-old's current deal ends after this season and Carlton is known to be among clubs interested in him.
Manager Phil Mullen remains confident Mitchell will stay at Sydney, but expects the delay in discussions will last for about a month.
"We'll start again later on in the year, so it's an ongoing thing but we'll have a bit of a break for a while," Mullen told the AFL website.
"We're reasonably close to where we want to be, both parties, but we'll put it on hold and let Tom concentrate on his football because that's what it's all about.
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"The Swans are happy to keep calling and we'll listen and see how we go from there."
Mitchell joined a breakout season last year, playing 19 games for the Swans.
He has continued to impress this season, playing every game and slotting comfortably into Sydney's powerful midfield.
Mitchell was a Rising Star nominee in his 2013 debut season and has played 52 senior games.
