Thursday 1 January 2015 08:55, UK
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini hopes defender Martin Demichelis will extend his stay at the club by signing a new contract.
The 34-year-old Argentina international's current deal at the Etihad Stadium expires at the end of the season.
The former Bayern Munich centre-back has become a key member of Pellegrini's back four after a shaky start to his City career.
Pellegrini said: "He will finish his contract at the end of the season.
“I think he's a very important player for us and I hope that he will start soon his talks about a new contract - and that they will conclude in the right way."
I think he's a very important player for us and I hope that he will start soon his talks about a new contract - and that they will conclude in the right way.
Demichelis played for Pellegrini at River Plate and Malaga before the Chilean brought him to City in the summer of 2013 after an Atletico Madrid stint so brief he never actually played for the club.
He initially struggled to adapt to the English game but found consistency in the latter half of last season as City reclaimed the Premier League title.
He has been a regular starter during the current campaign and Pellegrini hopes he can follow the likes of Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Samir Nasri, Joe Hart and Aleksandar Kolarov in agreeing fresh terms.
Talks are still ongoing with another player Pellegrini hopes to re-sign, midfielder James Milner.
The 28-year-old England international Milner is also in the final year of his contract and has been linked with Liverpool.
Pellegrini expressed hope in December that a deal could be close but there has been no confirmation.
Pellegrini said: "Not yet, we hope (to confirm) here as soon as we can."
