Collingwood are moving on star free agent Ben King, with the gun goalkicker set to stay with Gold Coast.
7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary revealed the Pies have accepted they are out of the running for the spearhead.
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The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and will be one of the hottest free agents in the league.
He qualifies as a restricted free agent, meaning the Suns have the ability to match any offer and force a trade, much like the Zak Butters situation.
But despite interest from a number of Victorian clubs, King is set to commit to the Suns on a fresh two-year deal.
“The Pies have been among the clubs closely linked with the Coleman Medal leader but tonight are moving on and putting their energy into other targets,” Cleary reported on 7NEWS.
“Like several other Victorian clubs, they sense King is on the verge of re-signing a new two-year deal with the Suns.
“It’s still status quo at Gold Coast, but they are quietly confident he’ll soon recommit.”
King has already kicked 32 goals this year to sit on top of the leaderboard after a career-best 71 goals last year.
His impending deal with the Suns is a big win for the team as they hunt their first premiership.
Cleary added that the Pies are stull hunting a key forward.
Hawthorn’s Mitch Lewis and Gold Coast youngster Jed Walter are two forwards that are unsigned beyond this season.
Collingwood’s forward line is considered their biggest weakness after the departure of the reliable Brody Mihocek last year.
Daniel McStay has kicked 16 goals, while Tim Membrey and Jack Buller are the other key targets at the Pies.
