Manchester City 'to hand Fernandinho new contract'

Brazil international Fernandinho is reportedly in line for a new 12-month contract at Manchester City.

The 34-year-old will see his current deal at the Etihad Stadium expire next June, and it was recently claimed that the South American was stalling on penning fresh terms with Pep Guardiola's side.

City broke their transfer record over the summer to sign Rodri from Atletico Madrid, with the Spaniard seemingly earmarked as a long-term replacement for Fernandinho.

The former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder has been pressed into action in central defence in recent weeks, though, with John Stones and Aymeric Laporte both on the sidelines through injury.

According to The Sun, Fernandinho's leadership qualities have shone through since Vincent Kompany's departure during the summer, and City are keen to keep the Brazilian for at least another season.

The report claims that he would have to accept a drop on his current £120,000-a-week wage packet in order to earn a fresh 12-month deal.

Fernandinho has made 279 appearances for the Citizens since arriving from Shakhtar in 2013.