Croatia striker Mladen Petric cooled contract extension talks with German league club Hamburg on Monday as his side prepare for Friday's opening Bundesliga game against champions Borussia Dortmund.
The new season starts this weekend, but Petric, 30, is stalling over extending his contract with the Hanseatic City club, which expires in June 2012.
Hamburg risk losing the Croatian on a free transfer next summer, unless the 44-times capped star can be persuaded to sign an extension by new coach Michael Oenning and director of sport Frank Arnesen.
"We have talked in a very relaxed atmosphere and shared our ideas," said Petric.
"But I want to take this very important decision about the further course of my career, in peace and without any pressure."
Oenning is reported to be considering making Petric his captain for the season.
"We are all aware of his importance to the team," he said.
Petric scored the winning goal in Hamburg's 2-1 German Cup first round win over minnows VfB Oldenburg on Saturday and hit 11 league goals in 22 appearances last season.
Source: AFP
