Cameron Munster's departure from the Melbourne Storm is looking more and more likely by the day.
A report this week suggests the star five-eighth, who has been one of the competition's form players this year, has recently knocked back an offer from the Storm to remain at the club beyond the end of 2023.
It's hardly a surprise that it's come to that.
The Storm's salary cap is undeniably bloated at the top end, with Jahrome Hughes, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Harry Grant all recently signing on the dotted line for big-money extensions.
The crush for high-skilled targets is immense in the competition, and even more so thanks to the entry of the Dolphins in 2023, who have reportedly offered Munster more than $1 million per season.
Munster's manager Braith Anasta didn't exactly shy away from the fact he will hit the open market from November 1 either, and while he won't be losing the Storm before the end of 2023, Anasta admitted at least three or four clubs have already expressed interest in the star.
So, with his future in Melbourne looking chequered at best, where could the Queensland and Australian star wind up?
Here are the five most likely potential options.
4. St George Illawarra Dragons
The Dragons are currently weighing up re-signing Ben Hunt beyond the end of 2023 when his contract expires, as well as grappling with the future of a number of young guns, including halves Talatau Amone and Jayden Sullivan.
Amone has been improving just about with every passing week, but the bottom line is that the Dragons still sit outside the top eight and desperately need a firestarter to the club's future success.
At the moment, even if Hunt does re-sign, it doesn't look like it's coming from within the club.
Hunt's form has obviously been fantastic this year, and he is a favourite for the Dally M Medal despite his club sitting outside the top eight, but there is no guarantee he re-signs.
Munster and Hunt would be a staggering halves combination at club level, but the idea that Muster could potentially turn the Dragons around is not far-fetched if the Red V made a big-money play for the star ahead of the 2024 campaign, whether that be as a Hunt replacement, or a Hunt complement.
