Pogatetz targets Middlebrough stay

The 27-year-old’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the season.

“At the moment, to be honest, it looks good,” he told the club’s official website.

“I have said I would like to stay here and help the club get back to where it belongs, and the signs from the club are that they would like to keep me as well.

“Now it is just if we can work out an agreement or not, and I really hope we can do that. But it just depends what the club wants to do in terms of years and finances, and that’s definitely playing a part.

“I am 27 now and I am entering the final stages of my career and the club can’t expect me to play on the same wages as when I was 20 or 19. That’s an honest thing to say.

“Also, if I sign a new contract, I would like to sign probably a longer contract so the same thing doesn’t start again and again.”