Eagle McGovern defers new AFL deal talks

Star West Coast defender Jeremy McGovern says he will put contract talks on hold until the end of the AFL season.

McGovern's future has been a big talking point this season, with the restricted free agent having already reportedly been offered a $7 million deal over six seasons by an unidentified Victorian club.

The Eagles are desperate to keep the key defender, and they had been quietly confident of striking a long-term deal with the 26-year-old.

But West Coast face a nervous wait with McGovern deciding to put talks on hold.

"I'm probably going to put it on hold, I think, until the end of the year. I've spoken to my manager about it," McGovern told Perth radio station 92.9.

"It's just easier for everyone, I think, rather than a bloody running commentary every week.

"I'm loving my footy and enjoying it with the boys, so we'll reassess it through the bye and then, at the end of the year, we'll probably look at it.

"Put it back to then, everybody can just get over it and let me play footy."

Fellow restricted free agent Andrew Gaff also looms as a priority for West Coast.

Both Gaff and McGovern are settled in Perth, but they might be tempted by the riches on offer from the east.

The Eagles are 5-1 and face Port Adelaide on Saturday at Optus Stadium.