Jan 20th, 2020

Jan 20th, 2020

Melbourne will only release unhappy star Josh Addo-Carr to South Sydney if the Storm can find a suitable replacement for the State of Origin flyer.

Addo-Carr has applied for a release from his contract on compassionate grounds, wanting to return to his family in Sydney.

But with fellow flanker Suni Vunivalu also set to quit the Storm at the end of 2020, coach Craig Bellamy is wary of losing both his strike wingers with no reinforcements in line.

So the Storm are looking for a finisher to come in for Addo-Carr.

The Storm are unwilling to lose both Addo-Carr and Vunivalu without finding a replacement (Getty)

Souths are prepared to release experienced winger Alex Johnston and he is one possibility for the Storm, as is Queensland State of Origin winger Dane Gagai.

Both can also play fullback and centre, giving Bellamy more possible options.

If Addo-Carr does join the Bunnies only days after former Roosters superstar Latrell Mitchell, Souths will boast one of the most potent backlines in the NRL in 2020.

Now 24, Addo-Carr played his junior football in the Souths area with La Perouse Panthers and Moore Park.

With the flying winger in a dispute with his management, a third party is believed to be handling his talks with the Bunnies.