Munster has been heavily linked with expansion franchise PNG Chiefs, who are due to enter the competition in 2028 and have already made a host of impressive signings for their inaugural season from all-time NRL leading try scorer Alex Johnston to former Penrith Panthers captain Jarome Luai and his star teammate Brian To'o.
The 32-year-old has not shied away from the fact that he has been inching closer to a move up north, having already expressed his desire to formally open negotiations with PNG from November 1 when his current contract allows him to do so.
Munster has already received the blessing of head coach Craig Bellamy, who said in July that Munster's 13 years of service to the club entitles him to do "the best thing for him and his family" in what could be the final chapter of his playing career.
Whilst both Munster and Bellamy have expressed a burning desire to finish their NRL lives together, the 24-time Queensland representative has decided to put contract talks on hold until after the 2026 Rugby League World Cup (RLWC) after reportedly receiving a less than desirable offer from the Storm.
According to a new report from The Courier Mail, Melbourne tabled a two-year offer worth $750,000 per season - a pay cut of more than 30% on his current salary of $1.1 million.
With the NRL's monster future broadcasting deal seeing the salary cap from $12 million in 2027 to $15 million in 2028, Munster understandably believes there would be plenty of wriggle room for the Storm and/or rival clubs to match if not exceed his current paycheck whilst he continues to prove his worth at such a level.
“We don't see any reason for Cameron to be taking a pay cut," Munster's new agent, Justin Caines, told the Courier Mail.
“Until we are able to get in front of some clubs, we don't know what is out there for Cameron.
“Cam is still very much at the top of his game.
“He is only 32 years of age. He is still the Queensland captain, and he was picked in the Australian squad for the World Cup, so he is still very much a representative player.
“With everyone else's salaries going up, we don't see why the Australian five-eighth and Queensland captain has to go backwards in pay.
“Why should Cam look to take a pay cut when everyone else's salaries are going up?
“That doesn't align with what he has done and what he is going to do in the game.”
Munster was set to fly to PNG with future signing Zac Lomax on the first weekend of August to tour the facilities and meet with club management before deciding to pause talks with the Chiefs out of respect for the Storm, who were at the time battling to spare themselves from their first season without a finals campaign since the salary cap scandal of 2010.
Caines said he would "welcome another discussion with PNG" after the conclusion of the RLWC, which Papua New Guinea are co-hosting with Australia and New Zealand.
“I spoke with Cameron, and we came up with a list of clubs we would be happy to speak to," Caines added.
“We certainly feel Cameron has some good football ahead of him.
“Cameron is far from finished. His hunger is still there, and there is no bigger competitor in the game than Cam Munster. The guy just wants to win and keep winning. He is as hungry as ever and can play for quite a few more years yet."