Manchester City are on the verge of agreeing a new £200,000-a-week contract with forward David Silva.
By IAN LADYMAN
The club have been negotiating with Silva all summer as they look to tie one of Europe’s hottest properties to a deal for the next five years.
As reported in Sportsmail last month, talks reached a worrying stalemate during pre-season as City struggled to deal with the Spaniard’s wage demands.
However, it is understood the arrival of Spanish chief executive Ferran Soriano has given the issue fresh impetus and the club are hopeful of agreeing terms within two weeks.
Tuesday night’s Champions League opponents Real Madrid have been tracking Silva’s situation at the Etihad Stadium and have asked the 26-year-old’s representatives to keep them informed of any problem with his negotiations with City.
Silva is aware of Madrid’s interest and has been tempted by a return to Spain.
However, he now looks certain to commit himself to City for the best years of his career.
The club have structured Silva’s new deal to give him a basic wage that puts him around the pay levels enjoyed by top earners Carlos Tevez, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure.
The incentives are such, though, that success in the Premier League and Champions League over the coming seasons will see his pay tip the £250,000-a-week mark.
