Melbourne Storm look to lock down star five-eighth

Melbourne Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster has shot down claims that he wants to be on the move to a new team as contract negotiations between the Storm and his management become public.

The Storm are looking for a franchise player post-Cameron Smith era and they believe Munster could be the answer, working on a multi-million dollar deal for the five-eighth, according to The Courier Mail.

Munster has handled a lot of criticism in the past, even from his own team last year, where the club admitted they need to be more alert of Munster's party-indulging behaviour.

Due to the uncomfortable nature of the Storm speaking out about his recreational activities, other teams saw this as a glimmer of hope they could attain the 23-year-old.

Two Sydney-based clubs and the Cowboys were mentioned in rumours that described them reaching out to Munster's management just last week.

Melbourne chief executive Dave Donaghy believes that the Storm are the right fit for Munster and also confirmed the team has moved on a potential contract that would sign him on until the end of 2022 or 2023.

We’ve opened preliminary discussions with Cameron’s management about a long-term contract at Storm,” Donaghy told heraldsun.com.au.

“Storm is the best place for him, he can take his game to another level here and I look forward to watching his continued progression as both a player and a person.

“There’s an exciting crop of emerging talent at this club. Cameron has an opportunity to play a leadership role with those guys as our older players transition out of the game.

“I’m sure he sees that as well.”

Munster has mentioned how close he feels to his teammates and has embraced the clubs culture.

“No one is really from Melbourne and that’s why we’re so close and bonded. We hang out together and that’s what makes us [a strong club]," Munster told heraldsun.com.au.

“I love Melbourne, the structure, system, players and culture around the club.

“I’ve learnt a lot from those guys, as well as ‘Bellyache’ [coach Craig Bellamy], so I’d like to help build on the culture they have set."