---
title: "West Ham target Pablo Zabaleta preparing for Man City exit"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2017/05/08/west-ham-target-pablo-zabaleta-preparing-man-city-exit/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Michael Oliver"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2017-05-08T12:01:54Z"
modified: "2017-05-08T12:01:54Z"
---

# West Ham target Pablo Zabaleta preparing for Man City exit

West Ham will be in the market for a proven right-back in the summer and a player they have their eyes on is Manchester City stalwart Pablo Zabaleta.

Since making a £6m transfer to the Etihad in August 2008, Zabaleta has made 228 Premier League appearances for Manchester City and played an integral part in their title winning sides in 2011/12 and 2013/14.

Pep Guardiola is expected to head up a major squad overhaul this summer and will allow a number of players to leave when their contracts expire – and Zabaleta is one of those expected to be on the market.

Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, Yaya Toure and Willy Caballero are all set to leave Manchester City as well.

The 32-year-old defender would like to stay at City, provided he is offered a two-year extension which the club are unwilling to do, prompting him to take matters into his own hands.

Speaking out about his future, [Zabaleta seems to hint at a summer departure](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/pablo-zabaleta-prepares-leave-manchester-10369293):

“I have a special relationship with City. I have been here nine seasons and my love for City is huge.

“But in football you have to make tough decisions sometimes and I have to make a decision that is the best for myself and hopefully for the club.

“We all know that some players will be leaving, but at this moment the most important thing is to think about the club. I am not thinking about a contract. I am waiting until the end of the season.”

With City planning on offering Jesus Navas a new one-year contract and have started to bed him in at right-back, the writing is on the wall for the Argentine.