Okocha's contract is due to expire at the Reebok Stadium in the summer and the club need to act now to fend off any potential bidders who might be interested in taking the Trotters captain for next season and Gartside says that preliminary talks have been very encouraging over a possible 3-year deal.
"We've held preliminary discussions with Jay-Jay and all the signs are positive. We hope to finalise things towards the end of the season and I am confident that Jay-Jay will be a Wanderers player for the next three years" Gartside told the clubs official site