Distin sale ruled out
04 Dec 2006 - 13:22:38
Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce says he has no intention of cashing in on centre-back Sylvain Distin in the January transfer window.
Distin's current deal runs out next summer and the French defender has so far snubbed the offer of a new contract from the Citizens.
However, Pearce told the club's official website: "Sylvain knows that I want him here, even if it takes us until the last day of his contract to persuade him to stay.
"The main thing that will help him make up his mind are not words from me, but performances from the team.
"I honestly believe that he will stay, but we have to make sure as a team that the results are good.
"He spoke to Middlesbrough last summer, but then told us that he didn't want to go. That's fine, it has given me an extra year to try to convince him to stay.
"I won't try to move him out in January and turn some money over, I'd rather keep him here even if the worst case scenario happens, where he leaves for nothing next summer.
"That's the nature of football with Bosman deals these days, but I'll do everything in my power to make sure he stays."