Kent are close to agreeing terms on a contract for former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood.

The 36-year-old, who is currently out of contract, has been holding out for a two-year extension after a season that saw him crowned Kent’s Player of the Year.

The all-rounder (pictured) is expected to sign a deal in the next week.

Kent’s chief executive, Jamie Clifford, said: "We are close to agreeing terms with Azhar, so watch this space. There has been no question of him playing anywhere else than Kent, I suppose there hasn’t been that urgency because he hasn’t wanted to be anywhere other than Kent."

While Mahmood looks set to sign a deal to keep him at the club, the futures of two other players out of contract appears to be far more complex.

Seam bowlers Robbie Joseph and Simon Cook are also both out of contract and an announcement on whether they have been released or retained is not expected before the end of the month.

One player that will definitely be at St Lawrence next season is summer signing Charlie Shreck from Norttinghamshire. There were rumours the fast bowler would not see his commitment to Kent through following Paul Farbrace’s exit as director of cricket, something Clifford has strongly denied.

The club’s chief executive has also been working with several players out of contract next season, a group which is believed to include the likes of Rob Key, Geraint Jones, James Tredwell and Darren Stevens, in a bid to tie them down beyond the end of next year.

Mr Clifford said: "In terms of players in contract, there is a bit of work going on to make sure they are on the right contracts. It’s important we have all the players on the right style of contract. It’s about stability and we are keen to make sure we are well organised on that front."

Mr Clifford, together with skipper Rob Key and chairman of cricket Graham Johnson, have also whittled down a group of 60 players to speak to about joining the club next year as replacements for batsmen, Joe Denly and Martin van Jaarsveld.