Defender Distin has been with Manchester City for four seasons

The defender, 28, has failed to agree personal terms and City boss Stuart Pearce has given him until Thursday to make his mind up about the move.

Distin is set to see out the remaining year of his contract and Pearce will now persuade him to extend his deal.

Pearce has said: "I've spoken to him about the situation and I believe he wants to stay."

He added after Wednesday's goalless draw with Portsmouth: "You can see by his form and sheer determination that any talks he has had have not affected his desire to play for Manchester City."

Pearce imposed a deadline on Distin's decision because of the encroaching transfer deadline on 31 August.

The City manager believes he would not have enough time to find someone with enough quality to replace the experienced Frenchman.

Distin has played more than 150 times for City since signing for �4m from Paris Saint-Germain in May 2002.

Middlesbrough had earmarked him as a replacement in the centre of defence for Gareth Southgate, who retired as a player after being appointed manager earlier this summer.

Newcastle, with whom Distin had a spell on loan before joining City, had also been linked with the defender.