GUN French defender Matthieu Delpierre is on the verge of signing a contract extension with Melbourne Victory.

The Herald Sun understands that Delpierre is close to accepting terms on a fresh one-year deal.

Though Victory had already tabled an offer to Delpierre five weeks ago, they had decided to put all negotiations on hold until the finals series was over.

But Victory officials are believed to have been pleasantly surprised when Delpierre approached them in recent days signalling his intent to stay on.

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Club legend Archie Thompson, left-back Daniel Georgievski, midfielder Jesse Makarounas, attacker Andrew Nabbout and keepers Nathan Coe and Lawrence Thomas are also out of contract.

Victory coach Kevin Muscat refused to be drawn on specifics, but conceded most negotiations are on hold.

“I’d like to keep everyone, but the economics of life mean we can’t so I’d like to think that after our last game I’ll have conversations will all those players and the picture will be a lot clearer,’’ Muscat said.

“Matthieu and Fahid (Ben Khalfallah) have been a bit different because they’re here on one year contracts and being foreigners there’s a little bit more planning for them, they’ve both got young families.

media_camera Delpierre has been the pillar of the Victory’s defence.

“We had something on the table for Fahid for weeks and weeks and that finally came off.

“It is a difficult predicament because we’re right in the midst of things.

“I’d love to keep everybody because everybody’s contributed.

“I don’t want to use that c word, culture, it’s so overstated. But there’s a certain togetherness with the group that they want to succeed.

“We as a staff can identify it and encourage it, but ultimately it’s the playing group that drive it and make it happen and for that reason I’d like to keep everyone.’’

Delpierre’s expected signing is a massive boost for Victory ahead of next week’s preliminary final clash in Melbourne, and just a week after star attacker Ben Khalfallah extended for two years.

Delpierre, who turned 34 on Sunday, has been a pillar of poise and stability since returning from a foot injury.

The former Lille, Hamburg, Utrecht and France youth international scored on his Victory debut and has gone on to lead a Victory defence that has conceded an season low 31 goals in 27 games.

Delpierre has played 13 games this season.