Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti is confident that an agreement will be reached with Ireland captain Seamus Coleman on a contract extension.
The Donegal defender's current deal is set to expire at the end of next season but the Toffees are considering offering a contract which would see him stay at the club beyond the end of his playing career.
Coleman has been at Goodison Park since making the move from Sligo Rovers in 2009 and he's clocked up for 345 appearances for the Merseysiders.
Ancelotti has previously compared the 32-year-old's leadership skills to Paolo Maldini and he expects Coleman to pledge his future to the club.
“I don’t think we have to talk about the contract," the Champions League winning coach told Everton's website.
“The contract that Seamus has with the club and this team is forever.
“It doesn’t mean one-year long or two years long. Seamus’ contract with Everton is forever.”
Everton boosted their chances of securing European football with last Friday's win at Arsenal in the Premier League. They're now six points outside the top four with a game in hand on Chelsea and Ancelotti says they need a strong finish to the season.
“Against Crystal Palace and Tottenham and Brighton we were not able to win, but I said to the players to keep fighting because we still had possibilities and we still have possibilities.”
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