Star Greater Western Sydney forward Jeremy Cameron has told the Giants he wants to be traded from the AFL club.
It is expected Cameron, who has kicked 427 goals in 171 games for GWS, will end up at Geelong, who are preparing for Saturday night's grand final against Richmond at the Gabba.
"We are disappointed by this news, having tabled what we believe to have been a suitable offer to retain Jeremy," Giants football manager Jason McCartney said.
"With Jeremy being a restricted free agent, we have a number of avenues to now explore to get the best possible outcome for the Giants."
While Cameron took his time deciding his future, many thought the 2019 Coleman medallist would remain with the Giants where he has been since the start of his AFL career in 2012.
Geelong will be a frightening proposition for rival clubs with Cameron set to team up with veteran Cats forward Tom Hawkins.
Cameron struggled this season, as did GWS, kicking just 24 goals - down from a career-high 76 last year.
But the 27-year-old is one of the game's most dangerous forwards when firing.
Giants CEO Dave Matthews said on 3AW that the club would match any offer tabled by a rival club, indicating that potential suitor Geelong would need to trade to secure Cameron's services.
"We tried to reassure [Cameron] that this is the place (you want to be). Be a one-club player and finish his career here," Matthews told 3AW.
"We now go through the process, and because he's a restricted free agent it's highly likely we would match the offer from our understanding of what it's likely to be.
"Then the ball is in Geelong's court to see whether they can satisfy us through our trade.
"(Adam) Treloar and (Dylan) Shiel were two first-round picks; they're both very good players, but key forwards are hard to find."
There are only seven active AFL players with more career goals than Cameron, including Hawkins (600) and Sydney champion Lance Franklin (944).
It continues a concerning exodus at the expansion club, with Cameron joining defenders Zac Williams and Aidan Corr and midfielder Jackson Hately in requesting trades away from the Giants since their season ended last month.
Veteran defender Heath Shaw hasn't been offered a new contract, while ruckman Sam Jacobs has retired.
There remains speculation Hately's fellow 2018 draftee Jye Caldwell will also leave as he considers interests from a number of Victorian clubs.