Talented young central defender Presnel Kimpembe has said it would be a dream to extend his Paris Saint-Germain contract and added that he has always wanted to stay at Parc des Princes.
The France under-21 international broke into Unai Emery's starting XI early this season after captain Thiago Silva injured his hip during the International Champions Cup and Marquinhos was on Olympic duty with Brazil in Rio de Janeiro.
His maturity has earned plenty of praise.
Kimpembe, 21, admitted he and the French champions are in talks over a new and improved deal but must come to an agreement.
He also said he is happy with the level of respect the club have shown him since his senior breakthrough back in October of 2014.
"I have always wanted to stay," Kimpembe told L'Equipe. "The club respects me and I respect them back. I have set myself a goal of 20-25 matches this season, I will take stock of that at the end of the season.
"It would be a dream to extend my contract here but we must reach an agreement first. I am not going to sign a new deal just to please the club and they are not going to make me happy by simply offering me a contract."
L'Equipe reported earlier this summer Kimpembe had rejected an opening offer from the French capital outfit. PSG's No. 3 has seen his stature in Paris improve since then through his on-field exploits and David Luiz's Chelsea return off it.
The Brazil international's departure means Kimpembe is now third in Les Parisiens' central defensive pecking order and his days of paying Luiz's tuition are over.
However, the youngster from Beaumont-sur-Oise is grateful for what he learned from his former teammate and Silva.
"Having played alongside great defenders has helped me to grow," Kimpembe said. "This has surely enabled me to make an impression and be where I am today. This summer, I felt as if I had gone up a level and I hope this is not the last time."
Although former coach Laurent Blanc handed Kimpembe his debut in a 3-1 away win over RC Lens almost two years ago, the PSG youth academy graduate feels more valued under new boss Unai Emery.
"Laurent Blanc did a lot for me, he gave me confidence," Kimpembe said. "With Emery, though, the philosophy is totally different. He likes combat and showed us we need aggression to succeed.
"We work a lot tactically. There is at least one tactical exercise every day. We speak more with him, not necessarily individually, but we feel his support. We feel more valued."
However, Kimpembe also acknowledged that he knows his place in the defensive hierarchy when both Silva and Marquinhos are fit and available.
"Starting in Monaco showed me that the coach really trusts me," he said. "I know Thiago will return and that will complicate things a little, Marquinhos too.
"They are both indisputable starters. You can only grow through competition though."