Shinji Ono has indicated that he would like to remain with Western Sydney Wanderers past his first year with the A-League club.
The former Feyenoord and Japan midfielder was signed as the Wanderers' marquee player prior to the start of the 2012/13 season and is looking to stay on past the initial 12-month contract he agreed to.
"I want to stay, I love it here," Ono told reporters. "I want to stay but I don't know, I think my agent is talking with the club, I don't know, I'm not sure."
Wanderers head coach Tony Popovic added: "All along we've said that we're very happy with Shinji and obviously there's a process that needs to be taken.
"But he knows the club's desire and he knows my desire of wanting to keep Shinji and we'll see if we can make that happen ... with Shinji we haven't spoken about any terms as yet but he knows our desire is to keep him.
"The process has started now and hopefully both parties will be happy and we'll see him here again next year.
"There's no time frame on that, I mean I'd be happy if it was the end of the season, I wouldn't be worried when it is (done)."
