Stoke midfielder Salif Diao is 'very close' to signing a new one-year deal at the Britannia Stadium.
Midfielder to shun offers from abroad to stick with Potters
Stoke City midfielder Salif Diao is 'very close' to signing a new one-year contract at the Britannia Stadium.
Diao has been considering his options since being offered an extension by the Potters and has attracted interest from France and Italy.
However, the Senegalese's agent Gary Mellor has revealed the 32-year-old is ready to commit his future to Tony Pulis' side.
"I have had long discussions with Tony Scholes, Tony Pulis and Salif, and we are 99 per cent there," Mellor told The Sentinel.
Great respect
"Salif loves playing for Tony Pulis and has a great respect for him. He has had offers from Italy and France, but Tony Pulis has made clear that Salif is a big part of his plans. Salif is very close to committing himself to a further year."
Mellor added: "Salif is very respected in the dressing room and I think that played a part in Stoke's success last year.
"Now he wants to get back into pre-season and repeat the form he showed before Christmas."
Diao made 20 appearances in the Premier League last season and has been with Stoke since October 2006 when he initially joined on loan from Liverpool.
