Gold Coast are ready and willing to pay the multi-million dollar price to retain key forwards Ben King and Jed Walter, their coach says.
The Suns are waiting on a formal response to a contract extension tabled to King as several clubs in Melbourne circle the AFL's leading goalkicker.
And Gold Coast are understood to have increased their offer to emerging attacker Walter, who is also a target of cashed-up rivals.
Victorian-born King will be a restricted free agent at the end of the current season, his eighth at the Suns.
"Free agency is part of our game now," Suns coach Damien Hardwick told reporters on Wednesday.
"It's his opportunity to explore; we understand that and respect that.
"What we are incredibly grateful for is the eight years he has provided us with. And I want him to spend another eight here."
