Silva set for big pay rise

Manchester City are ready to make David Silva the fourth 200,000 pounds-a-week player at the club.

City will begin new contract talks with David Silva next month and want to tie the Spaniard down to a new four-year deal before links with the Spain squad at the end of the season to begin preparing for Euro 2012.

Silva’s contract expires in 2014 and Goal.com understands that City will sit down with the player and his advisers in April to discuss a two-year extension that will keep him at Etihad Stadium until 2016.

The early indications from informal discussions held between the club and Silva are that the player is keen to extend his agreement and talks are expected to progress smoothly.

The playmaker’s pay will leap from its present 140,000 pounds mark to elevate him alongside Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez in the top bracket of City earners.

City recognise how important it is to hold on to the 26-year-old, who has blossomed into one of the outstanding players in the Premier League during his second season in England.

Silva is one of the frontrunners to win the PFA Player of the Year gong for a campaign in which his combined total of 19 goals and assists in league competition is bettered only by Robin van Persie, Aguero, Emmanuel Adebayor and Wayne Rooney.

Speaking earlier this week, Silva said he was settled in England and praised manager Roberto Mancini for giving him an integral role in the team.

“I am very happy in England, I have two years left on my contract and I want to see it out,” Silva said.

“Right now, I do not want to return (to Spain), I am enjoying life in England, people treat me wonderfully and I want to continue enjoying this.”

“Mancini has complete trust in me, which is very important for a player and I am very happy. My team-mates are adapting well to my game and that is very good for me.”