Cooper Cronk is refusing to rule out a move away from Melbourne Storm when his contract expires at the end of the 2012 NRL season, with a bidding war almost certain to start for the Queensland star’s services.

Cronk is the highest profile name off-contract at the end of the 2012 campaign and has been linked with a number of clubs as well as a switch to rugby union.

Reports have claimed the 28-year-old is keen to take advantage of the new television deal set to be announced in the next few months, and set his sights set on a contract worth around $850,000 a year.

South Sydney are believed to be in pole position to sign Cronk because of his close relationship with Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire.

The pair worked together when Maguire was an assistant to Storm coach Craig Bellamy before joining Wigan in 2010.

The Rabbitohs have only rookies Adam Reynolds and Ryan Carr in their ranks to fill the No.7 shirt following Chris Sandow’s departure to Parramatta last year but are willing to wait for the right man to become available next year rather than rushing out to find a short-term replacement.

Cronk was visibly uncomfortable when quizzed about his future plans at the official launch of the NRL Indigenous All Stars game on the Gold Coast on Tuesday, deflecting questions about where he will ply his trade in 2013.

However, with the prospect of being the first-choice halfback for both Queensland and Australia, with Johnathan Thurston moving to five-eighth to replace the retiring Darren Lockyer, he admitted he wanted to remain in rugby league.

“I’ve got myself into a very good position to play some good football this year,” Cronk said.

“I’ve been working very hard for a long time to get where I am now and I’m not about to stop.

“I want to be a part of the big games in the future.”

“There is a lot of speculation around, and I understand that, but I am just working my backside off for the start of the season and focusing very much on the All Stars game.”