As revealed by Fairfax Media on the eve of the Storm's grand final triumph over the Cowboys, the Roosters remain Cronk's most likely destination now the race is officially on for the Test and State of Origin No.7.

The two-time Dally M Medal winner asked his agent, George Mimis, on Friday to source options for next year, ending months of speculation about whether he would play on beyond 2017 and end his career away from Melbourne.

It sent the NRL's silly season into overdrive with its biggest name hitting the market just a week out from the Kangaroos' World Cup opener against England, in which Cronk will feature for Australia.

"Cooper has advised me [on Friday] that should a suitable opportunity be available he will consider continuing his career in Sydney," Mimis said.

"I will now undertake some discussions to determine the feasibility of that for him."

While Cronk stopped short of confirming he will definitely embark on a 15th NRL season, several Sydney clubs are expected to scramble to find room under the $9.4 million salary cap to squeeze in one of the game's most influential players.

Cronk announced in April he intended to move to Sydney to be closer to fiancee Tara Rushton next year.

One of the game's most decorated players and Australian coach Mal Meninga won't want the issue overshadowing the Kangaroos' World Cup defence and Mimis could quickly orchestrate a deal to prevent the Cronk sweepstakes being a distraction.

Expendable: Mitchell Pearce may be sacrificed to make way for Cooper Cronk at Bondi. Photo: NRL imagery

Cronk's desire to play on is now likely to have ramifications for the futures of a number of Roosters stars given it's understood he is an admirer of tricolours coach Trent Robinson.

Cronk's long-time Origin adversary Mitchell Pearce could be the fall guy if Cronk lands at Bondi despite only this year signing a new deal, which runs through until the end of the 2019 season.

His five-eighth partner, Luke Keary, is a free agent from November 1 and has 12 months left on his Roosters deal, while co-captain Jake Friend's future could be clouded if the tricolours contemplate switching Pearce to No.9.

It is believed the Roosters will need to release at least one player to accommodate Cronk - Jayden Nikorima could potentially reunite with brother Kodi at Brisbane - and satisfy the NRL they have registered a contract reflecting Cronk's true market value.

But Brisbane want the Roosters to chip in for some of Nikorima's freight before making the Cronk pursuit a reality.

Having bowed out in the preliminary final in three of the last four years, Roosters powerbroker Nick Politis is likely to see Cronk as the man to return the foundation club to its first grand final since 2013.

While the Roosters are firm favourites to land Cronk, they are unlikely to be the only suitors.

The Eels and Sharks are understood to have plenty of room to move under the salary cap and could entertain making offers to rival the Roosters.

Rabbitohs general manager of football Shane Richardson earlier this week said the club would not chase Cronk.

The Sharks could grant Cronk's Australian teammate James Maloney a chance to seek a bigger deal elsewhere, but the bitter rivalry that has emerged between the Cronulla and Melbourne is unlikely to see Cronk prefer a move to the Shire.

Cronk said in the immediate aftermath of his second premiership earlier this month the notion of finishing his career with a grand final win at the only club he's ever played for wouldn't sway his decision about the future.

And now he is set to play on for at least two seasons and perhaps sit only below great mate Cameron Smith on the list of most NRL appearances.