ESSENDON utility Adam McPhee appears set to leave Windy Hill, but as of Tuesday morning was still to quit the club.

Reports have indicated McPhee will walk out on the Bombers, where he has played 142 of his 167 career matches, and seek a return to Fremantle via the pre-season draft.

But McPhee is yet to formally tell the Bombers of his decision.

In a pointer to McPhee's likely fate, his image has been removed from a promotional photograph on the club's official website and replaced with that of small forward Alwyn Davey.

While there is still some hope he might remain in the red and black, it seems most likely he will return west to where he started his career.

Fremantle is willing to offer a three-year contract, while Essendon hasn't budged on its initial offer of a two-year deal.

Speaking from Bombers training last Friday, a session from which McPhee was absent, coach Matthew Knights said he hoped to retain the 27-year-old.

"He's a senior body, an experienced player, and he's played at a high level for a long period. You can't afford to lose those players," Knights said.

"Adam's got to make a choice about what he thinks is best for his football career also, and I'm very mindful as a coach that another opportunity would open for another player.

"We'd certainly like Adam to stay but he's got to really want to be at the club and with where we're going."

Melbourne and Richmond have selections before Fremantle in the pre-season draft, but it's believed neither club would be likely to pick the versatile defender given his age.