Financial terms are expected to have little influence on the massive decision facing Gold Coast superstar and free agent Tom Lynch, who is already being paid close to a million dollars in 2018.

Lynch is assured of being one of the highest-paid players in the game and a deal comfortably exceeding his current deal after this year, regardless of whether he returns home to a Victorian club in 2019 or remains with the Suns under new coach Stuart Dew and a revamped football department.

Gold Coast's Tom Lynch is the hottest free agent this season. Credit:AAP

Given that the Suns are already paying Lynch close to a million dollars this year, well-placed sources say the struggling club will be in a good position to increase their offer well beyond the $1 million mark and even to match whatever offers come to their co-captain as a restricted free agent from rival clubs.

There is also the possibility of the AFL paying Lynch to be an ambassador in Queensland – a marketing arrangement similar to Gary Ablett's former arrangement.