Man City's next contract renewal should be simple decision

Manchester City have enough players signed on until 2025 to field a full starting XI for the next three seasons, with eight players contracted until 2026 and a further four until 2027.

City have become experts in forward planning, tying down key players before they have a chance of leaving for free, to ensure their world-class squad has a core for the coming seasons to sell the club to prospective signings.

With a number of talented youngsters signed up for years, an increasing number of that core are homegrown talents from the academy.

One player who won't be in the squad come 2027 is Fernandinho — and he is one of two veterans out of contract this summer.

City have a shorter-term outlook with their older players, with the likes of Vincent Kompany and David Silva all handed smaller extensions in recent years, while Sergio Aguero wasn't offered a new deal after a string of injuries.

In Fernandinho's case, a one-year extension is a no-brainer for City as they start to plan for what next season's squad could look like.

A new report this week from Brazil claims City are working behind the scenes on a new deal for Fernandinho, which may seem to some as unnecessary given his status this season as reserve defensive midfielder.

However, his presence in training and on the bench shouldn't be underestimated, and it's clear he is firmly part of this treble-chasing group as he is often one of the first to join celebrations on the sidelines.

With 11 league titles to his name across spells at Shakhtar Donetsk and City, plus a further 15 cups in that time, Fernandinho knows what it takes to win silverware. He is also one of few players in the squad to have a European title to his name, with a 2009 UEFA Cup winner's medal in his