CARLTON has emerged as a clear front-runner for the services of out-of-contract Giants midfielder Matt Kennedy.

GWS is yet to put a contract offer on the table for Kennedy, and the 20-year-old has been canvassing his options at rival clubs after playing 19 games in two seasons with the Giants.

The former Giants academy player appears almost certain to request a trade ahead of October's player exchange period.

Other Victorian clubs including Essendon and Hawthorn have shown interest in Kennedy, but AFL.com.au understands the 188cm midfielder has all but settled on Carlton as his preferred new home.

Opportunity will play a significant part in Kennedy's ultimate decision.

After recently re-signing fellow midfielders Josh Kelly, Lachie Whitfield and Jacob Hopper, the Giants will again take one of the competition's strongest midfields into 2018, with Dylan Shiel, Callan Ward, Stephen Coniglio and Tom Scully also part of their on-ball division.

Kennedy played 16 senior games in 2017 but was overlooked for the Giants' three finals and would undoubtedly enjoy greater midfield opportunities with Carlton.

Blues CEO Steven Trigg has said the club would focus on building midfield depth in this year's trade period and Kennedy would be a welcome addition in this regard.

Carlton is also the frontrunner in the race for Kennedy's GWS teammate Devon Smith, who wants to spend more time in the midfield after playing predominantly as a forward in his six seasons with the Giants, and has also been linked to fellow Giant Ryan Griffen.

GWS took Kennedy with pick No.13 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft, but industry sources believe he is now worth about a second-round pick.

The Blues traded their second-round selection to Geelong last season as part of the Zach Tuohy deal and their third-round pick, No.38 overall, won't satisfy the Giants.

Carlton could look to do a package deal for Kennedy and Smith – and possibly Griffen – but its prized first pick, No.3, is highly unlikely to be on the table.

But if Bryce Gibbs again requests a trade home to Adelaide – he is predicted to do so despite saying this week he expected to remain at Ikon Park in 2018 – the Blues could obtain a pick or picks from the Crows they could then pass on to the Giants.

The Crows' first-round pick will fall at No.16 or No.17 depending on the Grand Final result, while they will also demand two first-round picks from Melbourne if, as expected, Jake Lever seeks a trade to the Demons.

In its bid to bolster its midfield, Carlton is also circling Brisbane Lions free agent Tom Rockliff, but faces competition from Port Adelaide.