Transfer Centre

Pablo Zabaleta 'open to offers' as he weighs up Manchester City future

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 18 June 2016

Pablo Zabaleta will "evaluate" his future at Manchester City if he receives offers from elsewhere during the summer transfer window.

Pablo Zabaleta's agent Federico Pastorello has revealed that his client will listen to offers from potential suitors as he considers his future at Manchester City ahead of Pep Guardiola's arrival as new manager.

The 31-year-old Argentine right-back had to fight Bacary Sagna for his place last season, but a lack of form and injuries resulted in limited appearances in the first team.

Since moving to the Premier League club from Espanyol in 2008, Zabaleta has made more than 260 appearances in all competitions, scoring 10 goals.

However, it seems as though Zabaleta is considering his options amid reports that Guardiola is keen to recruit new full-backs when he touches down in Manchester this summer.

The Manchester Evening News has reported that the 45-year-old Spaniard is keeping an eye on Arsenal's Hector Bellerin, but the club are yet to make a formal approach for the right-back.

The rumours have poured doubt over Zabaleta's position in the team, and it is believed that Inter Milan have registered an interest in the Argentine, who is out of contract next year.

"Zabaleta has another year's deal at Manchester City," Pastorello told Telelombardia. "I understand Pep Guardiola has been confirmed, but the opportunities in the market are endless. Should there be other opportunities, we will evaluate."

Zabaleta's future will be one of many discussed during the transfer window as Guardiola is expected to be handed substantial funds to create his own team ahead of the 2016-17 season.

The Spaniard has never before worked in the Premier League, but in eight years of management at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the Santpedor-born coach has won 21 trophies.

Guardiola arrives at the Etihad Stadium with high expectation on his shoulders, but online bookmaker 888sport.com believes that he can deliver as it has made City favourites to win the league with odds of 37/20 and 1/5 on to finish in the top four.

City's neighbours Manchester United, who will have former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at the helm in the upcoming campaign, are coming in as second favourites to win the title at 4/1, with a 2/5 shot for a top-four finish.