Premiership-winner Josh Addo-Carr refuses to rule out a return to Melbourne as he edges closer to signing with a Sydney club

Melbourne winger Josh Addo-Carr is poised to sign with a Sydney club for family reasons, but he hasn’t ruled out returning to the Storm in the future.

Josh Addo-Carr and Storm captain Cameron Smith wih the NRL premiership trophy after last week’s grand final win.(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Premiership-winning Melbourne winger Josh Addo-Carr hasn‘t ruled out returning to the Storm if his family situation in Sydney changes.

The Wests Tigers and Canterbury are favourites to secure the flyer’s signature after he requested to leave the Storm to be closer to his loved ones.

Addo-Carr is in NSW Blues camp for the next three weeks and hopes to sign with a Sydney-based club after November’s Origin series.

He is likely to sign a multi-year deal with a rival club, but he is open to rejoining Melbourne if his personal circumstances change.

“I probably would return,” Addo-Carr said.

“I wouldn’t say no to a Melbourne Storm contract. I love that club.

“I’ll definitely miss the Storm, especially all the boys.

“I’ve got a really good relationship with everyone at the club and I’ll always be a part of that club and have that connection with the club.

“I’ve got lifelong friends now, so it is a win-win for me.

“For now, I’m looking forward to getting back to Sydney.

“I’ve made this decision for my family

“Everyone knows my I wanted to move back, and I’ve been away from them for so long know as well.”

Storm coach Craig Bellamy and Josh Addo-Carr of the Storm embrace after winning the 2020 NRL Grand Final. Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

Storm football manager Frank Ponissi has opened the door for Addo-Carr to return to the club in the future.

In the meantime, Ponissi is working through the final details of a player swap that will allow the representative winger’s release to be activated.

“Down the track, we 100 per cent would (welcome Josh back),” Ponissi said.

“The two key things are that he is leaving for personal reasons, which we understand.

“But Josh also understands that we will only release him on the prevision that we received a suitable replacement, which we are working on.

“However, if things change in the short-term or the long-term, then we would certainly look at it.”

Storm forward Dale Finucane would happily welcome Addo-Carr back to the club.

“We’d love to keep Josh,” Finucane said.

“He is one of the best, if not the best winger in the competition.

“We know what his strengths are, obviously he is really fast, and he returns the ball really well.

“It is understandable that he wants to leave for family reasons, but it would be a great result for us if he does stay.”