West Ham are close to completing a deal for Manchester City right-back Pablo Zabaleta, according to Sky Sports.
The Hammers have been heavily linked with a move for the experienced full-back this summer with the 32-year-old set to be released by the cash-rich Manchester club when his contract ends.
Now, it seems as though he will be lining up for the east London club next season with the official Sky Sports Twitter account reporting on Wednesday afternoon that Slaven Bilic’s men were closing in on the signing of Zabaleta on a free transfer.
BREAKING: @WestHamUtd close to completing deal to sign @pablo_zabaleta on a free transfer – Sky sources. #SSNHQ pic.twitter.com/E3osbSPEf4
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 24, 2017
Zabaleta made the move to England and Manchester City in the summer of 2008 from Spanish club Espanyol.
He has since established himself as one of the best full-backs to have ever graced the Premier League, playing in 230 matches in the English top-flight and helping the cash-rich Manchester club to two league titles in 2012 and 2014.
The 58-time capped Argentina international had also managed to play in 32 matches in all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s team this season, showing he still has what it takes to play at a high level.
West Ham meanwhile will be hoping that he can help solve their right-back issues with star duo Cheikhou Koouyate and Michail Antonio being shoved into the position at times this season due to the form of Sam Byram and Alvaro Arbeloa.