Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta. (Photo : Getty Images)
English Premier League squad Manchester City is rumored to be ready to severe ties with its veteran right back Pablo Zabaleta as incoming head coach Pep Guardiola takes over from Manuel Pellegrini this summer.
The 31-year-old Argentina international had been with City for eight seasons now since they acquired him from La Liga's RCD Espanyol in the summer of 2008 for an undisclosed fee believed to be £6.45 million at that time.
Through the years, Zabaleta has been one of the team's premier defenders. He helped the Citizens win two Premier League titles (2011-2012, 2013-2014), an FA Cup (2010-2011), two Football League Cups (2013-2014, 2015-2016), and one FA Community Shield trophy (2012). He was also a member of the Premier League PFA Team of the Year during the 2012-2013 season.
Caught Offside reported that senior officials of City are "willing to listen to offers for Zabaleta after the 31-year-old Argentine struggled for playing time this past season" and that "several unspecified clubs are reportedly interested in the Man City star".
For the first time in his Premier League stint, he was used in just 12 games in the recent term and had zero goals for the whole season. He had appeared in more than 20 matches since he first arrived in Manchester with a high of 35 times during the 2013-2014 season.
The report also noted that Guardiola, coming off another championship with Bundesliga side Bayern Munich, is allegedly planning on making a complete overhaul of City's roster and he "has not been shy about getting rid of aging veterans".
Martin Demichelis, 35, and Richard Wright, 38, were already released from the Etihad. Yaya Touré, Bacary Sagna, Jesus Navas, and Aleksandar Kolarov, all 30 years old and above players, are also all speculated for an exit once Guardiola arrives.
Meanwhile, the Manchester Evening News indicated that Zabaleta is ready to "evaluate" his options away from City as Guardiola aims to sign two new and younger full backs for next season.
"Zabaleta has another year's deal at Manchester City," Zabaleta's agent, Federico Pastorello told reporters during an interview. "I understand Pep Guardiola has been confirmed, but the opportunities in the market are endless."
"Should there be other opportunities, we will evaluate," the agent added.
One team linked to the Argentine is Serie A's Inter Milan, who is said to be financially healthy at this point because of a recent Chinese ownership take over in the club.
