Essendon continue to talk tough over Paddy Ryder with coach James Hird saying the ruckman will remain at the AFL club unless a deal can be brokered.
Ryder did not attend the Bombers' best-and-fairest function having previously told the club he wants to be traded to Port Adelaide.
The 26-year-old is in the prime of his career and wants a fresh start after Essendon's drawn-out supplements scandal.
Ryder has two years remaining on his contract.
But a new clause could allow him to walk as a free agent - if he can show Essendon failed in their duty of care.
If that threat, and the accompanied fresh scrutiny scares Essendon, they certainly aren't showing it.
At the start of trade period, Essendon recruiting manager Adrian Dodoro suggested the onus was on Port to up their current offer.
Dodoro quipped the Bombers were only interested in trading "apples for apples, not apples for a bag of peanuts".
Hird, speaking on the club website, was not asked about the get-out clause in Ryder's contract.
But he insisted the Bombers would be happy to keep the wantaway on their books.
"If a player wants to leave, we will look at that opportunity for them to leave," Hird said on Tuesday, one day after the board met and agreed to retain the Essendon icon.
"But it would have to be a good deal for us, otherwise Paddy will stay an Essendon player.
"We are keen for him to stay.
"If an opportunity comes up at another club that is good for our club, we will look at it.
"Otherwise, he is a required player."
Hird was last week at loggerheads with Essendon officials when he decided to appeal the Federal Court's recent ruling in favour of ASADA.
The topic was not broached during Tuesday's interview, but Hird left nobody in doubt he was planning for the long term.
"In the next couple of weeks we'll have an announcement," Hird said of the club's search for senior assistant coach Simon Goodwin's successor.
Goodwin has left the club to be Paul Roos's protege at Melbourne.
Hird described Jason Winderlich and Ben Howlett as "very important players" to the Bombers.
Winderlich retired but is keen to join Richmond, while Howlett is considering his future given the uncertainty over who will coach the Bombers in 2015.
"(Howlett's) very comfortable if Hirdy's going to continue coaching, there would be a commitment towards Essendon," Howlett's manager Jason Dover said.
Trade period ends next Thursday and there is yet to be a deal completed.
TUESDAY'S TRADE DEVELOPMENTS:
* North Melbourne confirm midfielder Levi Greenwood is seeking a trade to Collingwood
* GWS young gun Jono O'Rourke seeking a trade to Hawthorn
* Carlton forward Jeff Garlett requests a trade to Melbourne
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