Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Bruno Lage has revealed that Joao Moutinho is keen to remain at Molineux for at least another season.
While the Portugal international has been a mainstay in the midfield since his arrival in 2018, turning 36 years of age later this year throws up the possibility of a mutual parting of the ways upon the expiration of his contract in June.
However, when quizzed on the matter at a press conference on Friday, Lage stated the exact opposite, saying that both himself and his compatriot were keen to extend his stay at the club into a fifth year.
Speaking to reporters, Lage said: "What I know is the club wants him and the player wants to stay. After that, the only thing I can say is that I am very happy to work with him.
"I am very happy working with him. Even today I shook his hand at training, we were doing a small exercise in training and he had prepared the strategy, everything to win.
"When you come, even at 35-years-old, and you want to win this exercise, that's why I shook his hand. It's hard to find men like him. He wants to stay."
Of Wolves' outfield players, Moutinho has played the fourth-most minutes in the Premier League this season, only bettered by Conor Coady, Max Kilman and Romain Saiss.
Darren Plant
