Manchester City want Brazilian talisman Fernandinho to remain at club next season

Manchester City are ready to explore all avenues in order to keep Brazil midfielder Fernandinho at the club beyond this season.

The reigning Premier League champions are determined to ensure the talismanic defensive midfielder has the option of remaining part of life at the Etihad Campus.

Playing or coaching options, possibly both, will be on the table when the time comes to open talks with the 36-year-old who added to his lengthy list of impeccable performances in the 4-0 Premier League win at Norwich last weekend.

City are only too aware of the influence the veteran wields in the dressing room and with a host of youngsters set to either continue with, or join, the squad next season, they understand that Fernandinho’s welcoming ear and calm manner would continue to be invaluable to Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff.

The final decision will rest with the popular Brazilian. As with his football, the devout Christian, who turns 37 in May — three weeks before he could be again lifting the Premier League trophy — will selflessly include others in resolving his and their future.

Just as he does in training and on the pitch, Fernandinho’s modus operandi is to put his own desires at the back of the queue. He is a model professional who set the tone for his near decade-long City stay when he waived a multi-million pound payment owed to him by former club Shakhtar Donetsk in order to facilitate his move to Manchester.

The wishes of his wife and two children will weigh heavily on what he decides to do next. His daughter was born during the stay in Manchester and his City-supporting son was recently a ball boy at the Etihad.

Since arriving in 2013 'Ferna' has racked up nearly 400 appearances for City, won 11 trophies — to add to