REPORTS: Three Sydney clubs chasing Munster

In-form Melbourne Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster is being courted by at least three Sydney clubs ahead of his contract year.

The 23-year old's value has skyrocketed in recent weeks after emerging as one of the most exciting prospects in the game, who comes out of contract at the end of the 2019 season.

It puts the Storm under pressure to negotiate a new deal between now and November 1, although it is believed that Munster's preference is to stay put with formal talks set to begin in the near future.

The Queensland representative has been scorching in his past three games, where he has broken nine tackles, ran 248 meters, made three line breaks and recorded three try assists.

And the Sportings' Brent Read told Sporting News that rival clubs are going throw big money at the young gun.

‘’I think he’s the hottest player in the game at the moment, he’s the form player of the NRL,’’ Read told Sporting News.

‘’Melbourne haven’t locked him down yet. He’s off contract at the end of 2019 like Nathan Cleary, like Valentine Holmes.

‘’There’s at least three Sydney clubs circling him at the moment. Melbourne are looking to lock him away and I think his preference is to stay, but there’s three Sydney clubs.

‘’If the Cowboys don’t get Val Holmes they’re going to have a red-hot go at Cameron Munster.

‘’The Storm have three months to get a deal done or he’ll go to market.’’

Parramatta are believed to be in the mix due to Munster's link with coach Brad Arthur from his time in Melbourne and the club's potential loss of five-eighth Corey Norman.

The Panthers are also being thrown up as a potential landing spot with speculation mounting that NSW star Nathan Cleary has already decided to team up with his father at the Wests Tigers.

North Queensland have been suggested as a possible suitor should they miss out on Sharks fullback Valentine Holmes.

Read added that Munster could command a seven-figure salary, a prospect that could scare the Storm off.

‘’I think they are sweating a bit and are a little concerned about it,’’ Read said.

‘’I think he will stay and in my eyes is a million-dollar player. If we’re going to give Nathan Cleary a million dollars, Cameron Munster is a better player than Nathan Cleary every day of the week.

‘’The Storm have got Cameron Smith and guys they’ve got to deal with next year so it’s going to be a challenge for them (fitting him into their salary cap).’’