Melbourne have tabled an "impressive offer" to Cameron Munster in a bid to stave off rival interest and keep the in-form playmaker at the club after his contract expires at the end of next season.
Munster, 27, has played his entire NRL career with the Storm but according to his agent Braith Anasta, was unwilling to accept the frugal contract extension proposed by the club earlier in the year.
The State of Origin representative opted to put contract talks off until later in the season, and on current form is set to command a marquee salary.
The Dolphins have signed Anthony Milford as a playmaker for their inaugural season but reports have linked the NRL's 17th team to Munster, who is a Queenslander and enjoys a good relationship with head coach Wayne Bennett.
Earlier in the season, Anasta indicated that as many as four rival clubs had been in contact with hopes of acquiring Munster's signature.
As speculation about his future escalates, Munster and Anasta met with Storm CEO Justin Rodski and owner Matt Tripp on Tuesday.
"We had a really positive, productive meeting, which was really good. It's good signs," Anasta told NRL 360.
Anasta chose not to disclose Munster's prospective salary at the Storm but said the offer was competitive enough to match it with rivals.
"It's going to be the hardest decision of (Munster's) life," Anasta said.
"Melbourne have definitely put an impressive offer forward. It's going to come down to Cameron.
"Matty (Tripp) is doing everything he can to keep him there and Cameron loves it there."
Munster is able to negotiate with rival clubs from November 1, with Anasta admitting the Storm were hoping to secure a contract extension before then.
"There's still a lot to play out in all of this," he said.
Interest in Munster's future comes amid reports the Dolphins could instead make a play for Latrell Mitchell, who has transformed South Sydney into premiership contenders since returning from a hamstring injury.
Mitchell comes off contract at the end of 2023, along with key teammates Damien Cook and Cody Walker.
The triumvirate are each on salaries reportedly north of $700,000 a season but in July, Cook said all three were keen to remain at the Rabbitohs together if possible.
