Middlesborough midfielder George Boateng says there is nothing sinister in his delay in signing a new contract. Boro boss Steve McClaren is desperate for Boateng, 30, to extend his deal which expires at the end of the season.
Boateng's form this season has earned him a recall to the Holland national squad but he says no other club has approached him.
He said: "I haven't spoken to anybody else and nobody has spoken to me. I'm happy here and I would like to stay."
Boateng has proved one of McClaren's best signings since his arrival at the Riverside from Aston Villa in a �5m deal in August 2002.
With the World Cup approaching, Boateng is keen to keep himself in the focus of Holland national team manager Marco van Basten.
Boateng insisted he is committed to Boro's cause and said: "I would love to finish my career here.
"I said I would like to stay and I haven't changed my mind. Hopefully something can be sorted out sooner rather than later.
"It's not a rush thing for me or the club because the club knows that I want to stay and I know the club want to keep me."
MMIX
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Match of the Day - Post-match interviews