IT IS less than a week until the NAB AFL Trade Period opens next Monday, but the negotiations are in full swing.

The free agency window starts even earlier, on Friday, as players prepare to move clubs in another red-hot exchange period. 

Trade period preview: Who will your club target? 

AFL.com.au's Trade Winds will provide a round-up of the latest action every morning until the end of the Trade Period on Thursday, October 19. 

Blues and Bombers circle Saad

Carlton and Essendon would need to give up a second-round draft pick to land Adam Saad after emerging as the front-runners for the Gold Coast speedster, according to the Herald Sun.  

Saad is exploring a return to Melbourne and the Blues are keen to talk with the 23-year-old when he returns from holidays overseas. 

It was reported the Suns are understanding of the family and religious ties that are drawing Saad to his home state. 

Essendon holds pick No.28 in the second round of the NAB AFL Draft, but Carton does not hold a second-round pick.

Freo again in the frame for Hogan 

Fremantle has not given up hope that Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan will be open to a move west, according to The Age. 

The key forward is a required player at the Demons and is contracted until the end of 2019, but there remains speculation he would entertain an offer from the Dockers.

Hogan endured an emotional year that saw him lose his father, Tony, and battle his own cancer diagnosis, and the Demons had no intention of letting him go.

The Dockers are hoping to land Gold Coast forward Brandon Matera and GWS defender Nathan Wilson this Trade Period.

Pies to meet with Fasolo

Collingwood is set to meet with forward Alex Fasolo when he returns from holiday, with the Herald Sun reporting renewed interest from West Coast. 

The Magpies are confident of retaining Fasolo, who is contracted for 2018, but will discuss his plans for next season. 

The Eagles last month said Fasolo, who booted 29 goals in 19 games this season, was a player they would consider seriously if he was available. 

The 25-year-old, who battled a mental health issue this year, will become a free agent at the end of next season.  

Watts he worth?

Melbourne wants a second-round pick for forward Jack Watts, who looks as good as gone at the Demons.

The Herald Sun reports a second-round pick is a "minimum" requirement for the club as it waits for Watts to nominate a preferred club after assessing his options.

Watts, who is stuck in a rut, according to coach Simon Goodwin, has interest from Port Adelaide and Sydney.

The Demons' pick No.10 is involved in negotiations for Jake Lever, with the club also chasing Fremantle midfielder Harley Balic.

Dons lead race for Stringer

Essendon has tabled a slightly better financial offer than Geelong for Western Bulldogs forward Stringer, according to The Age.

The Bombers are moving towards a deal with the talented forward two weeks after he met with the Cats. 

Stringer reportedly met with Cats coach Chris Scott, skipper Joel Selwood and Brownlow medallist Patrick Dangerfield as part of a presentation during preliminary final week.