Dunne, voted as the Blues’ Player of the Year for the last four seasons, has been offered a deal that would put him into the highest earning bracket at City.
After speaking to Dunne this week, Hughes is hoping that everything will be resolved very shortly, and he exclusively told MCFCTV.com:
“I’ve spoken to Richard, he’s on holiday abroad at the moment but I’ve had a discussion with him and I’ve told him my feelings on the situation. Obviously I’m very keen for him to remain at the club, and we’re working in that direction.
“It’s a little bit difficult because he’s away at the moment, but I’m sure that when he’s back this will be resolved very quickly.
“We have offered Richard a substantial deal, there may be more negotiations to be done but I am very hopeful that he will continue to be a Manchester City player.”
The pair played alongside each other at Everton in 2000, so the Manager is well aware of the skipper’s qualities.
“I played alongside him, and even though it’s a while ago now I know his qualities very well. He’s been outstanding at City, he’s key to what we are trying to do here and if we can, we’ll make sure we do everything we can to keep him.”
And does Hughes think that the Republic of Ireland international is underrated outside of the Club?
“I think so. He does not shout about himself from the rooftops, he does not do that much press apart from what he has to as our captain. There are some players out there who promote themselves more but the key is what you do on the pitch, and he has been outstanding in that respect.”
