MANCHESTER CITY are looking to keep skipper Fernandinho at the Etihad next season.
The Brazilian midfielder – who turns 37 in May – could be offered a role on Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff.
However there is also a possibility he could sign a new one-year contract to continue his playing career.
It would see him become the latest star to complete a decade with City, following on from Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero.
City paid £30million to sign Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk in summer 2013 and he has been pivotal to their success since.
The veteran has started ten matches in all competitions this season, including the 4-0 win at Norwich on Saturday.
And Guardiola has also spoken of his importance around the dressing room – even when he is not playing.
He has been particularly influential with the younger players and City would ideally like to keep him as part of their set-up for longer.
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Both coaching and playing options will be on the table when they come to discuss his future in the weeks ahead.
The decision is likely to rest with Fernandinho himself and he is likely to consider what is best for his family after so long in England.
He has spoken before about playing on until his 40s and may feel he wants more regular football before he hangs up his boots.
City know they will have to replace him at some stage and Guardiola is a huge fan of West Ham’s Declan Rice, but he would cost well over £100m in the current market.
