Terry "closer" to Blues deal
Terry says he is close to signing a new deal
Also In The News
|
West Ham have reiterated their determination to hang on to playmaker Carlos Tevez by refusing to allow the Argentine attacker to go ahead with a  |
Wednesday, 18, Jul 2007 10:50
John Terry says he is "a step closer" to signing a new deal at Chelsea and hopes to conclude negotiations before the start of the new season.
The Blues captain has been in talks with the club all year and his failure to sign a new deal has led to speculation that the defender could be set to leave Stamford Bridge.
There are two years remaining on Terry's current contract but the 26-year-old is adamant he will remain at Chelsea, who are currently on a pre-season tour of the US.
He said: "It is very promising and I am hoping things can be done. It has moved a step closer.
"We have spoken since we have been [in America] and we have moved closer. Hopefully things can be done before the start of the season."
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck had earlier said that contract negotiations did not have a time limit on them and that he was not concerned if the deal took a year to organise.
Terry agreed with Buck's appraisal, claiming: "It has not dragged on. These things take time.
"I've come back and we are speaking again. These things don't happen overnight.
"It is a case of minor details that need to be looked over - not only by myself but by solicitors from my end [and] from Chelsea's end."
Reports had suggested that negotiations had broken down because of Terry's wage demands.
There were also reports that the defender wanted a nine-year deal and a clause that allowed him to become Chelsea manager when his playing career finished.