LUKE Dahlhaus is destined to join Geelong on a long-term deal at the end of the season.

Foxfooty.com.au understands the 2016 Western Bulldogs premiership player has a four-year offer believed to be worth more than $500,000 per season from Geelong.

Even if the Bulldogs were prepared to match the offer, which is understood to be unlikely, Dahlhaus could still theoretically walk to the Cats because he qualifies as an unrestricted free agent.

All that remains is Dahlhaus to confirm he wants out, which is expected to happen in the near future.

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In April the midfielder told SEN he wanted to play the “rest of his days” at the Kennel, but the lengthy impasse over his contractual situation will eventually force the two parties to amicably split in the trade and free agency period.

The Dogs’ preference was to hold onto Dahlhaus for much of the year and still is, but only under the right terms of a shorter term arrangement. They presented a deal to him months ago, but have not been able to satisfy his desire for a five-year deal which has since been downgraded to four seasons.

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Aside from the financial burden of Dahlhaus’ contract expectations, a central reason for the Dogs’ hesitancy concerns father-son on-baller Rhylee West, who is rated a top-20 prospect and is the son of seven-time club best and fairest Scott West.

Before compensation or priority considerations, the Dogs have picks 6, 42, 59, 60 and 78 in November’s National Draft.

Depending on Geelong’s exact offer for Dahlhaus, it’s highly likely the Bulldogs would receive at least a mid-second round selection as compensation for losing him and maybe even a late first-round pick.

This selection would be bundled to ensure the Dogs can select Melbourne-based teenager West without using their top-10 pick.

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The AFL considers all compensation situations on a case-by-case basis and factors in the age of the player, finances and the contract length.

Foxfooty.com.au first reported Geelong’s interest in May. This season was the last year of a significantly front-ended deal he signed in early 2015 and since he sits outside the top 25 per cent of earners at the club, he qualifies as an unrestricted free agent rather than a restricted free agent.

Dahlhaus, Patrick Dangerfield’s second cousin, has strong links to the Geelong region, having played TAC Cup at Mick Turner’s football factory and at Leopold in the Geelong Football League as a teenager.

The Cats, who had Dahlhaus at pre-season training 10 years ago before he was drafted, have been keeping a close eye on the 25-year-old, who is one of five free agents at the Dogs this year.

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The 154-gamer played all 22 games last year but finished outside the top 10 of the Western Bulldogs best and fairest for the first time since 2011.

This year his form has been patchy at best. He kicked just two goals in 17 senior games, and recorded career-lows in both metres gained and score involvements.

He suffered a season-ending ankle injury against West Coast in Round 18 and is unlikely to be fully fit for day one of the preseason.

The restricted and unrestricted free agency window runs from 9am on October 5 through to 5pm on October 12.