Former Melbourne forward David Schwarz says that Essendon’s reported interest in Richmond star Dustin Martin is genuine, believing the Bombers could offer the midfielder a deal worth as much as $1.6 million a year.

Essendon’s interest in the 25-year-old was confirmed by club CEO Xavier Campbell last week on SEN radio, and Schwarz believes this attention is 100 per cent serious, considering the Bombers to be in prime position to lure Martin away from the Tigers.

“My understanding is that Essendon are in it up to their eyelids,” he said on SEN’s The Run Home.

“I believe they are front-runners…(I’ve heard) $1.6 (million).”

If this number is is correct, it would thrust Martin into becoming the game’s highest paid player.

Herald Sun journalist Jon Ralph believes that Richmond must match any offer that comes for Martin, believing they have the space to fit the reigning best-and-fairest winner in their salary cap no matter the cost.

“(Martin’s) got no quibbles with Richmond at the moment…they need to (match the offer),” he said.

“You look at their contract position… They are not paying Brett Deledio from year 2019. They are not paying (Chris) Yarran, who they thought they would be paying for the next seven or eight years, and they have got the uptick in the salary cap.

“Dustin is their only real priority in terms of salary cap this year. I think you just pay him whatever anyone else wants to pay him. If that is the going rate, that is what he is absolutely worth.

“Dusty is in the position where he should get every single dollar he is worth.”

Richmond would become the first ever club to successfully match a free agency offer and keep their player should this situation eventuate.

####UPDATE:

The Essendon Football Club has released a statement after this report which reads:

"Essendon Football Club can categorically confirm that no offer has been made to Dustin Martin or his management and reports suggesting otherwise are unfounded."