Essendon insist they have not offered unhappy star Zach Merrett a contract "top-up" as they maintain their hardline stance on trading their captain.

The Bombers have been steadfast that they won't trade Merrett, who wants to leave for fierce rivals and preliminary finalists Hawthorn but has two years left on his contract.

Reports have said Essendon could sweeten the 30-year-old's deal with either more money or years, but the club's list boss Matt Rosa rejected that notion on Tuesday.

"No, there's been no offer of a top-up payment from the football club and Zach hasn't asked for a top-up payment. That was incorrect," Rosa told AFL Trade Radio.

"We were in discussions later in the season about a potential extension, but obviously there's been a little bit to work through over the last mo

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