COOPER Cronk has revealed he’s currently exclusively negotiating with Melbourne in a deal which could see him play until the end of 2020.

The halfback has also set the record straight when it comes to his current deal with the Storm which he signed back in 2012, dismissing reports that he has an option for an additional season in his favour.

He’s also dismissed reports he’s spoken with NRL rivals South Sydney and St George Illawarra.

Speaking exclusively to foxsports.com.au, Cronk stressed he’s a free agent at the end of the season but has given his greatest indication yet that he’ll finish his career with the Storm as a one-club man.

“There’s a few things that have been said that are not true,” Cronk told foxsports.com.au.

“One I don’t have a contract for Melbourne Storm next year and two, the only club that I have spoken to is Melbourne Storm and those conversations are very early on and they will continue to go positively.

“To suggest that I’ve had conversations with other clubs, that’s not true.

Cooper Cronk of the Melbourne Storm thanks the crowd at AAMI Park. Source: Getty Images

“I love this footy club. I’ve been a part of it for a long period of time. Love the blokes, love the fans, purple is my new favourite colour as such but these things take their time and people are happy to comment on them.

“As far as I’m concerned, conversations are progressing and an announcement will come in due course.”

Cronk, 32, has been without a manager for some years now but in what the veteran playmaker expects will likely be his last deal before hanging up the boots — Cronk has enlisted the services of well-respected player manager George Mimis to handle his affairs.

Mimis also his friend and teammate Billy Slater and while discussions with the Storm are just a few weeks old, Cronk has known no other club since arriving in Victoria from Norths Devils in 2003.

He would go onto make his first grade debut a year later under Craig Bellamy.

Having spent his entire 275 game NRL career playing for Bellamy, Cronk admits his mentor’s decision on whether to activate an option to remain coaching the club for a further two years will influence his own decision.

Billy Slater talks with Cooper Cronk during Melbourne training. Source: News Corp Australia

Bellamy is tipped to take up the deal with announcement expected before the club’s first round clash against St George Illawarra at AAMI Park on March 7.

“There’s no doubt that we have a connection — absolutely — I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t true,” he explained.

“But I’m pretty sure that he’s said publicly that he’ll make an announcement in due course which I think is in the short term and I would suggest that would be before anything I would make because my conversations with the Storm are very early on.”

While talks between the club and his manager will progress throughout the season, the no.7 is enjoying the benefits of having had a full pre-season.

It’s a luxury he’s usually not afforded thanks to representative commitments.

Having fully recovered from hip surgery during the off-season, the Brisbane product revealed his body has never felt better.

Cooper Cronk at Melbourne Storm training at Goschs Paddock. Source: News Corp Australia

“This is the most prepared and physically prepared I’ve been for a football season for a long time — probably since 2012,” he said.

“We haven’t had any rep duties at the end of this year.

“I got a good month of training under my belt prior to Christmas and once Christmas came around the program really ramped up and I’ve been able to get some (kilometres) in my legs and physical strength.

“Prior to last year I thought that my body was in good nick but now it seems to be in better nick than it was 12 months ago.”

Entering his 13th season as an elite footballer, Cronk revealed that come time to retire, he’d like to stay involved in the game as a specialist coach but that life is still quite a few years away.

When asked how many years he thinks he has left in the NRL, Cronk couldn’t definitively say but suggested he could play until the end of 2020.

“Who knows? I love the game. As long as I’m passionate about it I’ll still play,” he said.

“There’s no real ceiling on how long that is.

“I’m pretty sure I’ll know but three, four, two (years) — somewhere around that.”