Storm chase Finch capture

Melbourne have emerged as the favourites to sign former Parramatta halfback Brett Finch as boss Craig Bellamy looks to ease his selection worries.

The 27-year-old former Sydney Rooster has not ruled out a move to British Super League but says he is hopeful a deal to keep him in the NRL could be sealed within days.

He told Fox Sports: “I don’t want to be sitting out of the game too long and if I can sort that out over the next 48 hours that would be great.”

“I’d like to stay in the NRL if I could, and whether that’s this year and then on to England next year, we’ll wait and see.”

Finch says the prospect of playing for the Storm is an exciting one.

He added: “They’re a very successful club and have been the dominant team for so many years now and it would be great to play with so many of their stars.”

It is thought that Bellamy wants Finch as a replacement for bad-boy five-eighth Arana Taumata, who was sacked on the eve of the season after a drunken assault in central Melbourne.

This would allow Cameron Smith to stay at hooker while Greg Inglis would be able to to take up his favoured position of centre.