Manchester City open contract talks with veteran midfielder

Manchester City have opened contract talks with Fernandinho in a bid to resolve his future, reports The Daily Mail.

Fernandinho has entered the final 12 months of his existing deal and will be free to leave for nothing at the end of the season.

The Brazil international has established himself as an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s plans and had expected his future to be resolved by now.

However, City are now looking to sort the 32-year-old’s contract and want to conclude talks before January, when Fernandinho would be free to talk to foreign clubs about a summer switch.

Given Fernandinho and Yaya Toure are now coming towards the end of their careers, coupled with Ilkay Gundogan’s on-going injury concerns, Guardiola will seek to bolster his central midfield options next summer but wants to keep Fernandinho part of his plans.

Since the start of last season, only Cesar Azpilicueta (2411) and Granit Xhaka (2403) have completed more passes in the Premier League than Fernandinho (2238).