The Melbourne Storm are planning on making Harry Grant their long-term number nine.
Grant, who turned 24 on Thursday, is contracted for the 2022 season but is yet to commit for 2023 with a mutual option in his deal between he and the club.
While speculation surrounded an early exit in recent weeks, The Sydney Morning Herald’s Andrew Webster says the Storm are confident that Grant will remain put after they reportedly activated their side of the clause.
“There was strong mail over the last couple of weeks that Harry Grant was all but going from the Melbourne Storm after this year,” Webster said on SEN 1170 Mornings.
“They have a mutual clause either way (for 2023), there’s some speculation that the Storm have already taken up that clause and that Harry Grant will be staying there in ’23.
“There seems to be some dispute whether that’s the case or not, but Melbourne are confident, I know that.”
With the Storm looking all but certain to keep Grant for at least next season, Webster expects the club to put forth a bumper offer to keep the number nine in purple from 2024.
“They think they’ll get Harry Grant for next season, then they’ll probably throw a big wad of cash at him beyond that,” he added.
The Storm will be desperate to keep Grant at the club with Brandon Smith leaving at the end of this season for Sydney.