Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill intends to open contract talks with Stiliyan Petrov once the transfer window closes.
The Bulgarian midfielder has only 18 months left to run on a four-year deal he penned upon his arrival at Villa Park in August 2006.
O'Neill is a big admirer of the 29-year-old's talents, having also worked with him during his days at Celtic.
Talks are therefore expected to begin shortly after the current window slams shut on 2nd February.
"A new agency have asked to take over his affairs and we will be dealing with that the minute the transfer window is over," O'Neill said in the Birmingham Mail.
"We would really like him to stay at the football club. He is playing great. I am delighted he is now proving himself right more than anything else.
"Most importantly you have to prove it to the fans and I have the utmost regard for him because he has fought back from a really difficult situation."
Petrov has seen his career enjoy a remarkable turnaround in the last 12 months, recovering from the disappointment of being dropped at one stage last season to become a vital member of O'Neill's first choice starting XI.
"Sometimes you can never win people over but he has done that himself," added the Villa manager.
"I think he has been really big for us this season, consistently excellent.
"His confidence is high now whereas confidence wasn't that high before.
"He would make a couple of mistakes and suddenly the world is against you, now he can make a couple of mistakes in the game and it is not a problem.
"I really want him to stay, I think they (the players) all do. He has been terrific."
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