Melbourne has been accused of asking NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo to "apply a blowtorch" to Parramatta in an effort to clear the way for Zac Lomax to join the Storm.
The dispute will be argued in the NSW Supreme Court on March 2 after Parramatta refused to permit Lomax to sign with Melbourne for 2026.
The Eels maintain that when Lomax was released from his $700,000-a-year deal last November he knew he would still need Parramatta's consent to play for another NRL club before the end of 2028.
His release came as part of his pursuit of a move to the proposed R360 competition, which has since had its launch delayed.
Melbourne has made three separate approaches to Parramatta this year in attempts to secure Lomax for the current season, but each offer has been rejected.
The latest proposal reportedly included $300,000 to Parramatta, with $211,000 of that designated as salary-cap relief.
The legal wrangle means Lomax is highly unlikely to play for the Storm against the Eels in round one and he is not permitted to train with Melbourne.
Court documents obtained by AAP outline the increasingly acrimonious exchanges between Lomax and Parramatta after his November departure.
Key excerpts allege that Melbourne chairman Matt Tripp warned Parramatta counterpart Matthew Beach about potential salary-cap consequences if no agreement was reached.
Parramatta also accuses Melbourne CEO Justin Rodski of messaging Abdo on January 21 to ask head office to "apply pressure to Parramatta."
The situation has left both clubs publicly at odds as the court prepares to consider the matter in March.