Adams has made his bombshell trade request official, informing Collingwood he wants to take up a multi-year deal with the Swans.
The 30-year-old ball-winner could link up with former Magpies teammate Brodie Grundy in the Harbour City, with the ruckman poised to join his third club in three years.
It comes after Melbourne's experiment using Grundy and Max Gawn as ruck partners fell flat this year.
Sydney have also lured premiership players James Jordon and Joel Hamling, from Melbourne and Fremantle respectively, as free agents.
But they face a fight with Collingwood over the contracted Adams, who has one year left on his existing deal.
The Magpies confirmed Adams' trade request in a statement on Sunday, declaring him "a required player and leader".
"The club will discuss the request with Sydney," the statement said.
Adams missed Collingwood's premiership this year because of an untimely hamstring injury.
He has played 175 games for the Magpies, winning their best-and-fairest award during his 2020 All-Australian campaign, after starting his career with 31 games at GWS.
Adams' move to Sydney shapes as the most high-profile switch of the trade period, which runs from October 9-18, after Melbourne declared Clayton Oliver would not be traded.
The Demons have vowed to help the 26-year-old through his "personal circumstances" after a messy few days, during which rival clubs believed Oliver was on the trade table.
This year's No.1 draft pick will be a focal point of the trade period as holders West Coast field offers from several clubs keen to get their hands on top teen prospect Harley Reid.
At 185cm and 85kg, Reid has been likened to Richmond superstar Dustin Martin and is regarded by club recruiters as a generational talent.
But the Eagles could part ways with the top pick in a mooted deal that would land them multiple high-end selections in return.
West Australian top-five prospect Daniel Curtin is on their radar as they weigh up whether Reid presents any sort of flight risk with a move interstate.
For his part, 18-year-old Reid - from Tongala, about 25km from Echuca in Victoria's Goulburn Valley region - says he will "be happy anywhere".
North Melbourne and Hawthorn are among the clubs interested in landing the No.1 pick, but must satisfy the Eagles in a trade.
The Kangaroos are in best position, helped by their AFL assistance package and looming compensation for losing free agent Ben McKay to Essendon, while the Hawks have WA product Tyler Brockman determined to move back to his home state.
Melbourne and GWS also have strong draft hands that could be used to tempt West Coast into a trade.
Port Adelaide have tall defenders Esava Ratugolea (Geelong) and Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (Essendon) in their sights as they seek to bolster their back-line.
Western Bulldogs ruckman Jordon Sweet has requested a trade to the Power, while St Kilda are eyeing Fremantle wingman Liam Henry and have also been linked to Dylan Shiel (Essendon) and Paddy Dow (Carlton).
Sydney's Dylan Stephens and Carlton's Zac Fisher could end up at North Melbourne, and Melbourne's James Harmes has attracted interest from the Bulldogs.
Hawthorn's Jacob Koschitzke (Richmond), Adelaide's Shane McAdam (Melbourne) and Gold Coast's Mabior Chol (Hawthorn) have requested moves, while Adelaide's Elliott Himmelberg appears set to join brother Harry Himmelberg at GWS.
The Suns are open to offers for contracted former top-10 draft pick Elijah Hollands, who could join brother Ollie Hollands at Carlton.
28°C