Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is getting "closer and closer" to agreeing a new contract with the club.
Ferdinand claims negotiations are still ongoing between the club and his agent Pini Zahavi, although manager Alex Ferguson is frustration at how long it is taking to reach an agreement.
The England defender said: "We are still negotiating. I mean, it has been about a month now we have been negotiating and obviously things that have happened in recent weeks have slowed it down a little bit.
"So we are still negotiating and coming closer and closer together."
Ferdinand suggested he was under increased pressure to sign a new contract with United.
"Negotiations. Some people take two years; some people take 18 months; some people take a year," he said.
"Mine has been going now a month. It's just negotiations and fingers crossed we can keep negotiating and then we will get an agreement.
"I am not saying it will take two years. What I am saying is that people take 18 months to sign a contract. I have been given a month and my head is on the chopping board."
Ferguson expressed his desire to have the matter dealt with quickly as far back as April 19.
"The best thing Rio can do is sign his contract and put the matter to bed," said Ferguson at the time.
"He says he wants to sign for the club and he has an opportunity to do just that. We have offered him a good deal and hopefully something can be done in the next few days."