GEELONG does not expect West Coast to be able to facilitate a deal for contracted midfielder Tim Kelly by Wednesday's NAB AFL Trade Period deadline.
The Eagles have offered picks 20 and 22 in exchange for Kelly, though the Cats appear unlikely to budge on their asking price of a top-10 selection in return for the gun on-baller.
Negotiations between the two sides are expected to continue all the way through to the impending close of the exchange period, which falls at 8.30pm AEDT on Wednesday, but Geelong list manager Stephen Wells believes a trade is unlikely as things currently stand.
"I don't (expect it to get done) at this stage," Wells said on Tuesday morning.
"The deal can be done, but I don't expect it to get done.
"We're far enough apart that I don't expect it to get done."
Kelly, 24, enjoyed a terrific maiden season in the AFL having been recruited to Geelong as a mature-aged draft pick from South Fremantle a year ago.
He averaged 22.9 disposals and 4.2 clearances per game, while kicking 24 goals for the season, culminating in a second-place finish in Geelong's best and fairest.
However, both the Cats and the Eagles are struggling to place a similar value on his worth.
"We've got our value that we have on the trade in order for Tim – who is a fantastic young player who is in contract with us – to leave our club," Wells said.
"West Coast has its value as well. (But) at the moment, we're not able to meet in the middle.
"We'll keep (the value) in-house. West Coast is dealing with us respectfully and we'll do the same back to them."