Essendon is facing the very real prospect of being forced to trade classy utility Justin Blumfield after the 21-year-old recently made it clear he saw his future elsewhere.

Blumfield, who was recruited from Tuggeranong in the ACT, has said Sydney is his preferred option and the Swans are desperately trying to organise a suitable swap with Essendon before the trade deadline at noon tomorrow.

A lucrative deal put to Blumfield by the Swans and the lure of returning home are believed to be the major reasons behind Blumfield's decision to leave Windy Hill.

In the unlikely event of Blumfield accepting a new deal from Essendon, the Bombers are now trying to organise a suitable swap with Sydney.

Youngster Jason Saddington has been mentioned in dispatches but the Swans are unlikely to want to part company with him.

"We are trying to organise a fair deal for Essendon Football Club and Justin Blumfield so that he can return to New South Wales," Essendon player development manager Matthew Drain said today.

"We are disappointed in Justin's decision but as he is an uncontracted player, the club doesn't want him in the November draft."

Should Essendon and Sydney fail to come to an agreement, the Bombers will be urgently trying to talk Blumfield into returning to Windy Hill before the December 21 pre-season draft.

If Essendon is unable to woo the 21-year-old back he will enter that draft and the Bombers will get nothing in return for him.

If that scenerio eventuates, Blumfield will almost certainly end up with Collingwood - the club with the first selection in that draft.