West Ham United are set to secure a bargain deal in the summer transfer market by landing Manchester City veteran Pablo Zabaleta on a free transfer, a reliable journalist has stated.
32-year-old Argentine ace Zabaleta is set to leave the Citizens after nine-years of service this summer upon the expiration of his contract, with Gazzetta Dello Sport correspondent Nicolò Schira stating he’ll pen a three-year deal with West Ham.
#WestHam is closing Pablo #Zabaleta from #ManchesterCity. He will sign a contract until 2020 with Hammers #WHUFC #MCFC #transfers
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) March 30, 2017
Zabaleta has been a crucial figure during Manchester City’s rise over the past decade, lifting two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two League Cup’s during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
Still valued at £6.8m by TransferMarkt, a free transfer for the veteran South American this summer would be a huge bargain and a major coup for the Hammers.
West Ham have struggled in the right-back area for a number of seasons and the arrival of an established name like Zabaleta would significantly bolster the club’s ranks.
As well as aiding the first-team, Zabaleta would also be a tremendous role model for the younger players at the club and could end-up being a huge influence on the Hammers’ struggling defence.