Juan,
We offered him a contract extension in the wake of last season's 2nd half performances. Reading the story on Sky Sports it seems his agent is the one making the suggestion. I take your point about when to release players but he's too versatile and intelligent a player for us to lose this season.
Good news that Soto has gone. A reasonable performer for free but we need better quality. I suspect having released him and El Zhar and with Poulsen, Cole and Aquilani looking for new clubs the way does look clear for a new CB and maybe striker.
Ngog to Bolton and Cahill in return is my guess.