Manchester City are ready to open contract negotiations with star players Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling.
Sportsmail understands City chiefs want to begin talks following the Champions League second leg with Real Madrid on March 17.
They earmarked the stability of their two top earners as crucial to the club's immediate future amid an ongoing legal battle surrounding future participation in Europe.
De Bruyne and Sterling still have three years left to run on their current deals. Discussions this far in advance indicate City's determination to keep their best players.