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PATRICK Dangerfield will "be playing for the Cats next year," his manager Paul Connors says.

Connors told NAB Trade Radio that he was confident Adelaide and Geelong would be able to reach a suitable deal.

"He'll be playing for the Cats next year," Connors said.

Connors also called on Adelaide to settle for a free agency compensation pick, No.14 overall, rather than trying to fight for a better deal with Geelong.

Adelaide has indicated it would prefer to trade Dangerfield to the Cats to receive the maximum compensation, with the Cats' 2015 first-round pick almost certain to be bundled up in any deal.

"Hawthorn got pick 20 (in compensation) for Buddy (Lance Franklin) and they went on and won two flags (after he left for the Swans at the end of 2013)," Connors said.

"Patty Dangerfield has given eight years of wonderful service and I think we should respect that he's coming home and it's not for money.

"Everyone's got the ability to do what's best for themselves and that's (a decision) for the Adelaide footy club and they think a trade might be best."

Connors also said there was a possibility Dangerfield could end up at Geelong via the NAB AFL Draft, as a last resort move if a suitable deal could not be agreed upon.

He also added the Cats' offer was likely to be a five or six-year deal.

But Geelong list manager Stephen Wells said he hoped the club did not have to acquire Dangerfield through the national draft.

"If Adelaide was happy to see that go through and not receive any compensation for Patty then that's a possibility, but I hope that doesn't happen," Wells said.