According to information from Port Adelaide, Dan Houston is still keen to be traded to the Melbourne club, with Carlton being his ideal destination.

Houston recently publicly rejected trade talks but Sam Edmund believes that was a “lie”, stating that the two-time All-Australian did not want to make headlines while the club’s season is ongoing.

“I know the clubs in the game know they are in the game with a number of clubs interested in Dan Houston. First and foremost Dan wants to come back to Melbourne, he is really in the game as a swap target, despite what he has said,” Edmund said Breakfast SLEEP.

“The St Kilda offer is said to be very lucrative and as we have previously reported, there have been talks between Houston and Saints boss Stephen Silvagni.

“Carlton are also on the board and really want to lure him. In fact, there is a feeling within the Power that Houston prefers the Blues. That is the feeling in Port Adelaide.

“The key to all this is Port Adelaide doesn’t have a first-round pick and it’s a very good draft. They want to have a foothold in the draft and that’s where Houston comes in.”

Edmund believes Port Adelaide’s ability to find a replacement for Houston during the trade period will have an impact on whether the club is willing to part ways with their signed star.

“The Power would be more willing to let Dan Houston go if the Power could secure one or both of GWS free agent pair Isaac Cumming and Harry Perryman. They have a decision to make,” he said.

“If Port Adelaide can get one of those I think it will be a really good game.”

Carlton wants to enter the draft with its first overall pick this year and could involve a third party to complete the Houston trade.

“The Saints got the seventh pick and have a Silvagni family connection through Steve, but he is one of Jack Silvagni’s best friends and was in his wedding party only last year,” Edmund said.

“The Blues have the 11th pick. Now Carlton wants to take the 11th pick in the draft, so you have to wonder, ‘How the hell can they get Houston?’

“I think that’s where Richmond comes in. If the Blues give up their future No. 1 and send it to Richmond, and the Tigers don’t want a half-dozen first-round picks in one draft this year, since the exodus is happening.

“The Blues could help them out and get their first-round pick back from the Tigers this year. There would have to be more to the deal, swaps and all that. That would be the backbone of a swap between Carlton and Port Adelaide, in my opinion.”

Houston has been named in the All-Australian squad for 2023 and 2024, with SEN’s Dan Hannebery declaring on Sunday that he was the “missing link” for Carlton.

He will not be able to play in the first two rounds of next season (waiting for the Port finals) due to a five-match suspension imposed by the MRO.