Pep Guardiola is confident of agreeing a new deal with Fernandino which will almost certainly see him save a bid for Declan Rice into a future transfer window.
Declan is seen as the long-term successor to the 36-year-old Brazilian midfielder, who is out of contract at the Etihad later this month.
But skipper Fernandinho, remains an invaluable player for City boss Pep Guardiola, both an and off the pitch, and has now opened talks about prolonging his eight-year term in Manchester by another 12 months.
Guardiola’s is a big admirer of Rice but won’t be temped to spend £100million plus should – as expected – Fernandinho agree the new deal.
Rodri and Fernandinho were both overlooked to start the recent Champions League defeat to Chelsea, underlining why Guardiola perhaps still doesn’t trust Rodri to be the main man in the City engine room.
And despite City’s huge spending power, our sources up in Manchester state Guardiola’s determination to retain Fernandinho for another year suggests they can’t also make room for Declan.
City are committed to signing a top striker this summer and Spurs’ Harry Kane will remain their main  target..
They also want Jack Grealish, so a move for Dec looks almost certain to have to wait until a future window