West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini is eager for Pablo Zabaleta to stay at the club, according to a report in the London Standard.
With the defender’s contract set to expire at the end of the current season, it had been suggested that the 34-year-old would be forced to seek pastures anew.
His manager, however, seems to want no such thing.
Zabaleta’s veteran presence on the perimeter of the back four has been critical to the Irons at times this season, and the former Manchester City star has racked up 21 appearances in all competitions so far this season.
With other right back Ryan Fredericks struggling for both fitness and form, the grizzled veteran has been forced to fill in.
It is as yet unknown if the Buenos Aires-native would want to stay at the London Stadium, or whether he might pursue a move back to his home country, having initially started his career with San Lorenzo.
That, though, is not something Manuel Pellegrini wants to see!
