They believe Taranto could be a replacement for triple-premiership captain Trent Cotchin,who is weighing up whether the 2022 season will be his last.
Essendon can turn their attention to Taranto,after Gold Coast livewire Izak Rankine said he wished to remain at the Suns,following an approach from the Bombers.
Two senior football sources toldThe Age that Essendon had tabled a long-term,multimillion-dollar offer to Rankine,but the Bombers have vehemently denied that. Essendon did not wish to speak publicly about Rankine.
Essendon have been desperate for big-bodied midfielder for years,having missed out on premiership Bulldog Josh Dunkley at the end of 2020,which is why they have shown strong interest in Taranto.
They have also been bereft of small forwards in recent seasons. Orazio Fantasia moved to Port Adelaide at the end of 2020,while they were unlucky to lose Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti,who retired midway through this season.