Or are people jumping on the fictional band wagon
I dont think its fictional. Too much smoke. Melbourne are merely not wanting the footy world to think he can walk out without adequate compensation.
For example
Melbourne have probably indicated to his manager they are open to trade for the right price (hence the smoke), it got leaked to the media. Melbourne are merely posturing to keep fans happy and signalling to clubs like Adelaide that he will not be a cheap fire sale.
But its a 100% certainty that Melbourne have postured twice to trade him, including last year.