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Melbourne NRL centre Will Chambers has been targeted by big spending overseas rugby union clubs and is mulling offers to return to the code.

Melbourne face a battle to keep Will Chambers at the Storm with the veteran NRL centre mulling lucrative overseas offers to return to rugby union.

The 31-year-old was a shock omission from the Storm's starting side in their semi-final win over Parramatta and is also set for a bench role in Saturday's grand final qualifier against the Sydney Roosters at the SCG.

After starting his NRL career with Melbourne in 2007, Chambers spent two years in rugby union, at the Queensland Reds and also Irish giants Munster in 2010-11 before returning to the Storm.

He also played the 15-man code as a school-boy and has spoken of his desire to have another crack in rugby union.

Chambers is in the sights of big-spending overseas clubs, who have already pillaged Australia's Super Rugby stocks, sparking a post Rugby World Cup exodus.

With their season on the line, Melbourne didn't want to comment on Chambers' contract situation, while the Queensland State of Origin representative dodged media at a Storm all-player press opportunity.

While Chambers is a popular player in Melbourne, his departure with a year to go on his contract would ease heavy salary cap pressure on the club.

Storm skipper Cameron Smith said he hoped Chambers would stick with the Storm beyond this season, given the versatility he offered the side.

When he came on in the second half at AAMI Park against the Eels he played on the wing.

"I haven't spoken to Will about it and the decisions he has to make," Smith said on Tuesday.

"He adds value to our team and that's why he was on the bench - he covers every position in the outside backs and you can throw him in the middle or the backrow at a pinch as well.

"Having that versatility adds value for him being in the footy side."

Smith said Chambers was hurt to have been relegated to the bench in favour of young gun Curtis Scott but had handled it well.

"He was really disappointed to miss out on the starting team and I'd be concerned if he wasn't - it was a really difficult decision for Craig (Bellamy) to make as he's been coaching him for over a decade and he's done some wonderful things for our footy club," Smith said.

"To Will's credit he worked really hard throughout the week and his attitude towards training was great."