Melbourne superstar Christian Petracca touches down in Adelaide ahead of meeting with Crows

Melbourne midfielder Christian Petracca has touched down in South Australia as he explores a move away from the Demons.

A year after his failed bid to orchestrate a trade to either Collingwood or Carlton, Petracca has now widened the net beyond the Victorian borders, with Adelaide emerging as the frontrunners.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Christian Petracca touches down in Adelaide.

Since missing out on luring St Kilda superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, the Crows have shifted their focus to Petracca, who appears more likely to get his wish this year, despite remaining contracted at the Demons for another four seasons on a lucrative contract.

Incoming Melbourne coach Stephen King has been adamant publicly that Petracca, along with fellow midfield bull Clayton Oliver, will not be going anywhere.

But a potential move for the 2021 Norm Smith medallist is gaining momentum behind closed doors.

Petracca was captured on 7NEWS cameras arriving at Adelaide Airport with wife Bella and manager Anne Scullie on Monday, and is expected to meet with Crows officials as he weighs up a trade request to West Lakes.

Gold Coast also remain an outside chance to entice Petracca into a move to the Suns.

The Demons still hold all the cards though, and would need to agree on a trade if he were to request one.

Speaking on The Agenda Setters earlier this month, Kane Cornes said the 29-year-old would be a perfect fit for Hawthorn, despite the Hawks’ pursuit of Essendon captain Zach Merrett.

“I look at a midfield with Will (Day), (Jai) Newcombe and Petracca, and I think that is a powerful midfield. That’s extraordinary,” Cornes said.

“Because I just think that Hawthorn are ready, they’ve got (Josh) Ward, they’ve got (Cameron) Mackenzie who can’t get himself in the team, they’ve got very similar players to what Merrett is.

“They’re not as good as Merrett. They’re certainly not as good a ball user as what Zach Merrett is. He’s a beautiful kick.

“I would think you put your best deal to Essendon for Merrett, and if they say no, I think you at least put that same deal to Melbourne for Petracca.

“And you speak to Christian about his desire to play for Melbourne. We hear once again today that he wants out. He’s a better fit at Hawthorn for what they need than what Zach Merrett is.”