INTER MILAN are chasing Manchester City star Pablo Zabaleta and would like to get a deal done in January.
The Italian giants are looking to strengthen their back four and see the Argentinian as the ideal man to bolster the defence.
According to ESPN, Inter scouts were in attendance at the Nou Camp to watch Zabaleta but he was forced off due to injury in the 57th minute.
It was a night to forget for Man City as they were thrashed by Barcelona 4-0 in the Champions League but Inter saw enough in the first hour of the game to decided that he is the man they want.
Roma are also chasing Zabaleta and his team-mates Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna, so they will have to move quick to beat their rivals to his signature.
Zabaleta has a year left on his contract so can speak to clubs in January and agree a pre-contract deal to move away for Manchester for free in the summer.
Related articles
Inter though know that they can stop that happening by paying a small transfer fee after the New Year to ensure he is playing in black and blue stripes.
The contract they offer will have to be tempting for the defender as clubs who will be looking to get him on a free transfer will be open to giving him a higher salary as they have no transfer costs.
Inter hope that just the lure of playing for one of Europe's sleeping giants and at the San Siro will be enough to get Zabaleta in.
Zabaleta signed for City from Espanyol in an £8.5m deal in 2008 just before the transformation of the club took hold.
Zabaleta has won two Premier League titles, two League Cups, one FA Cup and one Community Shield in his time with the club.
Keep up to date with ALL the Manchester City news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary by clicking HERE
Leave a comment