“We understand Ben wants to come here and we are really keen on having him,” McDonald told kangaroos.com.au.
“He’s met with us and Brad’s also had a chance to sit down with him and we were super impressed.
“However we are fully conscious of the fact that we have to continue to work with the Power on a mutually beneficial arrangement in order to get anything over the line. There’s still a lot of work to be done in that regard.”
Port Adelaide football manager Peter Rhode also confirmed the young defender wants to leave Alberton for Aegis Park.
While there’s been speculation about Jacobs’ plans to return home and play for North Melbourne, nothing has been confirmed, until now.
"Talks with North Melbourne have become more meaningful (with Jacobs declaring his club of preference)," Rohde told the Adelaide Advertiser’s Michelangelo Rucci.
20-year old Jacobs is also being pursued by St Kilda and Essendon.
"But we have a long way to go before anything will be done,” Rhode added.
Jacobs has played 26 games, including 14 in the past season, after being taken with pick 16 in the 2010 Draft. North Melbourne selected Shaun Atley one pick later that year.
The Power’s official website describes Jacobs as a “strongly built defender” and explains the how his season was derailed by illness and injury saying “(he) Had a slow start to the season because of glandular fever, which sidelined him for five weeks. Underwent ankle surgery at the end of the season and will further improve as his body develops.”
The Roos are still exploring an option to trade Cam Pedersen to Melbourne with a deal yet to be struck due to unexpected compensation picks.
