The Wigan boss held talks with the centre-back and his agent on Monday, and further discussions are planned for the end of the season.
Scharner has a year left of his current deal and Bruce sees him as an important part of his plans at the JJB Stadium.

He's played a major role in helping guide Latics away from the relegation zone after moving back into the centre of defence from a midfield role.

Bruce told the Evening Post: "I told Paul that I want to keep him and we'll have more talks when we are 100% safe in this division.Paul has a year left on his contract and is quite within his rights to see out that year if he wishes.

"It's a big decision for him, one we have to respect because it's probably one of the last big contracts in his career – although I think he could play on for a long time.

"I'm confident he will agree to stay and we'll see what develops.
"The talks I had with him were to tell him about what I wanted for the club, how I want us to move forward.

"I don't get involved in the money side of things – I give that to the chief executive and John Benson to sort out.

"What I told Paul was that since Christmas we're eighth in the Premier League form league and it shows we can put some good results together.

"I like Paul – he's off the wall and different to say the least – but
he trains like a winner every day and wants to be involved in a successful team.
"He's been very instrumental in what we've done since I came to the club."

Scharner will want guarantees before agreeing a deal that Latics are
determined to aim higher than an annual relegation battle.
But the Austrian has been impressed with the way Bruce has turned Latics' fortunes round since Christmas.

Meanwhile, Bruce will check on the fitness of Emile Heskey today ahead of Saturday's visit to Aston Villa.
He fears the former Birmingham striker could miss making a return to
the West Midlands after sustaining an ankle injury against Reading last week.
Bruce is already without skipper Mario Melchiot at Villa Park so will be keeping his fingers crossed that the Latics medical staff can get Heskey up and running in time for the weekend.

He said: "Hesk is doubtful at this stage for Saturday – he's got an ankle injury.

"We've patched him up and we'll see how he is a bit nearer to the game.
"It's a big game for us at Villa and hopefully we can get the job done there and finally make ourselves safe in this division.

"We edged closer to safety with the draw against
Reading and, while we're not mathematically there yet, it would take an almighty twist for us to go down.

"With two games to go we need a point. We are capable of getting that, never mind what everyone else does.
"Mind you, it wouldn't be Wigan if it was easy would it?"