Pablo Zabaleta earns Manchester City reprieve after showdown talks with new boss Pep Guardiola
Long-serving Spanish defender looked to be leaving for Roma or Inter Milan, but Guardiola impressed by attitude
PABLO ZABALETA has earned a reprieve at Manchester City and is now set to stay at Man City after showdown talks with .
The long-serving defender, 31, who has been at the club for eight years, saw a deal to Italian side Roma collapse during its final stages last month – and also had talks with Inter Milan.
His form suffered last season with repeated injuries and burn-out after two years of non-stop international football.
But after having surgery this summer on an ankle problem, he has reportedly impressed the manager with his attitude and energy in training.
With only a year left on his contract, Zabaleta knows he will probably be third choice right-back, with first pick ahead of him and new signing also being able to play there.
Stones has finally signed in a £42million deal today – at least according to UEFA’s website, who list the defender among the City squad.
After losing his place to Sagna in April, he publicly stated he was considering his future – but assurances from Guardiola have left Zabaleta looking forward to a ninth season in the Premier League.
He told s: “There was a lot of speculation. I don’t know how many times I was away to Italy. It was incredible. Every day there was a new club.
“I’ve always been away from that because I knew from the first day it was my decision to stay. I had been told by the new manager that I was part of this squad for this season, so I am more than pleased because City was my priority.
“I know I only have one year left on my contract, so that creates a lot of speculation, but I didn’t decide anything before I came back for pre-season to meet the manager and hear from him.
Zabaleta joined City from La Liga side Espanyol in 2008 and made his 300th appearance against Stoke in April having won two Premier League titles.