Dani Ayala has opened up on his contract situation, saying that he wants to stay with Middlesbrough.

The defender has just eight months remaining on his contract which is due to expire next summer.

Ayala is thought to be one of the higher-earning players on the books at the Riverside Stadium, alongside the likes of George Friend, Jonny Howson and Rudy Gestede, who are also out of contract next summer.

Middlesbrough are under pressure to reduce the size of their wage bill which means that these stars are likely to have to take a pay cut if they're to stay at the club, but speaking about his future to Teesside Live, Ayala says that he'd love to extend his stay.

He said: “Of course I would like to stay.

"I have been here seven years and played 200 games and hopefully I can play a lot more.

“But I know things are changing at the club and maybe they want to get younger players in and maybe they want to have not so many big earners.

“That is something I have to accept. That’s the reality of football now - but as I say I want to stay.

“I know Steve Gibson has made big signings for a lot of money and on big wages for a lot of years.

“For whatever reason in the last two years we didn’t go up and so maybe those things have to change. That’s the reality.”

With only a matter of months remaining on his contract it's only natural that the situation could become something of a distraction for the player, but Ayala insists that he's remaining calm.

He said: "To be honest its not something I think too much about. You just have to focus on your performance.

“All I tend to think about is my football, training hard and playing my very best for the club.

“The contract situation is not something you think about: whatever happens, happens.

“Hopefully I can stay here a lot more years, but that it is not my decision. We will see what happens.”

The verdict

Dani Ayala is a huge player for Middlesbrough Football Club and if he was to leave it would be a massive blow.

Of course it's important that the finances are right, especially with the club looking to tighten their belts, but it's also crucial to keep hold of the leaders in your dressing room.

Ayala is the perfect role model for some of the young players coming through, and of all of the out of contract stars I'd argue that the central defender has to be a priority to retain.