Aston Villa coach Tim Sherwood has revealed that defender Ron Vlaar is keen to stay at the club.
The Netherlands international's stock has risen over the last 12 months after winning praise for his performances at last summer's World Cup in Brazil.
Vlaar, whose contract expires this summer, is "in demand" according to Sherwood, but the Villa boss is confident of tying the 30-year-old down to a new deal.
"I've told Ron I want him to stay and he's said he wants to," Sherwood told a press conference.
"So his representatives are going to talk the club and I'm confident something can be done. Are we close? Well, put it this way, we're not a million pounds away!
"He's a man who is quite rightly in demand but I can see him being here next season. Ron's going to have a lot of options. He's not long come back from a World Cup where he had a really good tournament."
Vlaar has started 18 Premier League games this season after missing much of the campaign through injury.
Shane Callaghan
