Richmond superstar Shai Bolton has told the club he’s interested in returning home to Western Australia – but whether he has officially requested a trade is less clear.

The Herald Sun’s Jon Ralph first revealed Bolton had told the Tigers he wants to head home due to family reasons. He and his partner are expecting a second child later this year and want more support from their family in WA.

But the 25-year-old is contracted, only signing a new five-year deal 18 months ago, meaning he is locked into the yellow and black until the end of 2028 on a deal worth up to an estimated $6 million (over its entirety).

Bolton’s manager Anthony Van Der Wielen told Foxsports.com.au in a statement he “has not requested a trade” but confirmed there were “ongoing discussions with Richmond throughout the season where he has indicated that he would be open to the idea of returning home to Perth if a suitable deal can be struck that benefits all parties involved.

“With a young family and strong ties to Perth, the prospect of being closer to home is appealing to him. However, Shai is not making any demands of Richmond and fully understands that he has four years remaining on his current contract.”

While Bolton has not made an official request, it is clear his preference would be playing in WA in 2025.

One of the most exciting players in the competition and arguably the most valuable player on Richmond’s list will land the likely wooden spooners a hefty bounty if he is traded.

But the Tigers have been desperate to keep the dual premiership player to try and rebuild their list around him, given he’ll be 30 when his current contract expires.

They will need to weigh up the looming offers from Fremantle and West Coast, and the Dockers’ huge draft hand makes them the prime contender.

The finals hopefuls currently own picks 9 (Collingwood’s first rounder), 10 (their own), 17 (Port Adelaide’s first) and 26 (St Kilda’s second).

The Eagles’ offer would likely be centred on picks 3 and 23, though those are the only picks they own inside the top 50, and a ready-made star in Bolton does not suit the timing of their rebuild.

The Tigers would be seeking at least two first-round picks (or equivalent value) in exchange for the mid-forward, and may seek a future selection in the deal so they aren’t too heavily invested in the one draft.

As it stands the Tigers own picks 1, 21, 30, 39, 41 and 48 in the 2024 national draft.

West Coast is also interested in Tigers free agent Jack Graham, having reportedly offered the 26-year-old a four-year deal, though Richmond has moved to try and keep him.

Liam Baker, believed to be weighing up his own move back home to WA, and Daniel Rioli, linked strongly to Damien Hardwick’s Gold Coast, are also weighing up exits.

Bolton becomes the second player to seek a trade this year, after Alex Neal-Bullen asked to be traded to South Australia, also for family reasons.