CARLTON has announced it will not chase Sydney Swan Ryan O’Keefe in December's NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft.

The Blues had been strongly linked to the premiership forward since he expressed an interest in returning to his native Melbourne.

Coach Brett Ratten suggested at the conclusion of last week's exchange period that he and his staff would consider making room for O'Keefe, and that it "would be fantastic if we could get him".

But chief executive Greg Swann has conceded that with Carlton's first selection being at number six in the pre-season draft it would be too difficult to secure the 27-year-old.

"We can't see how O'Keefe would still be available at selection six," Swann said.

He also said that Carlton would be looking to add youth to its list in the off-season and believes that O’Keefe will stay with the Swans.

O’Keefe, who has played 164 games since his 2000 debut, seemed likely to move to Hawthorn during trade week but an agreement couldn't be struck between the two clubs.

The Herald Sun reported that O’Keefe would most likely remain in Sydney but, if he left, Essendon would be his most likely destination.

The Bombers have the fifth pick in the pre-season draft.