When we say we’re going to keep an eye on a story, we keep our promises.
Over the past week or so, talk of Pablo Zabaleta to AS Roma has intensified quite considerably, and it all seems to be coming to an end.
Unlikely to feature in Pep Guardiola’s plan at Manchester City, the Argentinean right-back is close to completing his move to Italy, according to Il Messaggero in Italy.
The Italian newspaper states the Serie A club are ‘convinced’ the defender will be theirs next season with the player very tempted to try something new.
Now, it’s just a case of “who will crack first” between the two clubs, with both currently in talks over the transfer fee.
Manchester City are said to be asking for €5m (£4.2m) while Roma are being rather frugal and only offering €3.5m (£2.9m).
Considering the 31-year-old is on the verge of entering the last year of his contract, you can understand why the Serie A club are reluctant to pay over the odds for the player.
The player’s agent is also set to receive €3m from the deal as an agent fee, which seems rather a lot considering the transfer fees being mentioned.
Either way, everyone in Italy is confident this will be done soon.
Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
