MELBOURNE Storm have admitted to holding talks with fallen Wallabies star James O'Connor before aborting their attempt to lure the rugby star to the NRL late last year.

According to a report in The Australian on Wednesday, Storm coach Craig Bellamy flew to Brisbane last year to open talks with O'Connor and his manager to explore the possibility of signing the 23-year-old as a replacement for departing five-eighth Gareth Widdop.

O'Connor had already signed to play in the northern hempisphere with London Irish and was looking at his options for a short-term stint in the NRL on his return.

According to the report, Bellamy was impressed by the meeting and confident the trouble magnet could thrive in the Storm's renowned club culture.

But the deal collapsed in late November, with the Storm frustrated by O'Connor's indifference.

"Craig met James O'Connor and his manager in October," Storm football manager Frank Ponissi told The Australia n.

"We looked at the option of signing him but decided not to pursue it any further.

"There has been no contact with James O'Connor since late November."

O'Connor's arrival at the Storm would have given the Melbourne side a 'big four' for the first time since Greg Inglis left the club after the salary cap scandal exploded in 2010.

But while it didn't come off, revelations that O'Connor had engaged in talks with rugby's main rival gives hope to NRL clubs looking to lure him across when his deal with London Irish expires.