CARLTON may be unable to offload homesick midfielder Bryce Gibbs if it cannot find a suitable trade with his preferred club of Adelaide.

But one leading AFL analyst is surprised the Blues didn’t accept the Crows’ reported first offer.

Adelaide initially offered their first round pick (13), which is likely to be apart of any deal for Gibbs, as well as out-of-contract midfielder Jarryd Lyons.

But that bid was swiftly rejected by Carlton in a move that surprised Champion Data’s Jacob Wilson.

Finals Week 1

“It surprises me that Carlton wouldn’t accept Jarryd Lyons as Lyons and Gibbs are very similar players,” Wilson told the Fox Footy podcast.

LISTEN TO THE LATEST FOX FOOTY PODCAST BELOW, OR TAP HERE TO SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

“There were eight players in the league last year who rated as elite for goals and assists coming out of the midfield — one of them was Bryce Gibbs, another was Jarryd Lyons.

“He provides a lot that Gibbs already does and he’s four years younger.”

Gibbs’ statistics were excellent in 2016, with the Blue averaging 26.8 disposals (9.5 contested) and kicking 18 goals in 22 games. Lyons was also solid averaging 21.6 disposals (10.4 contested) and booting 15 goals in 20 matches.

But perhaps surprisingly, according to Champion Data’s closely guarded player ratings, Lyons was rated “slightly above” Gibbs in 2016.

“He (Lyons) wins a bit more contested ball and does most of his work in the forward half, (plus) he’s a bit more clean with the ball,” Wilson explained.

MARKET WATCH: TAP HERE FOR MORE TRADE NEWS AND ANALYSIS

“In 2015 he was playing as a sub a lot but if you normalise his numbers out over a full match, his numbers were great in that year as well.

“Jarryd Lyons I feel is a very underrated player by Carlton and if they offered me (Pick) 13 and Lyons, I’d do that deal in a heartbeat.”

Carlton has reportedly asked for young players such as Charlie Cameron and/or Mitch McGovern in exchange for Gibbs.

But the deal has hit several snags with Adelaide seemingly unwilling to give up those players, nor the players themselves wishing to be traded to the Blues.

The trade could be a goldmine for the Crows with Wilson stating Gibbs could be the perfect player for the South Australian club as it looks for the final piece of the premiership puzzle.

“Bryce Gibbs would be a great fit for Adelaide because they’ve already got all of those bulls inside with the Crouches (Matt and Brad), (Scott) Thompson and (Rory) Sloane,” Wilson said.

“Gibbs is more of that uncontested style (of player) than what they currently have.”