Zabaleta’s contract at West Ham expires in the summer.
The London Evening Standard have claimed that Manuel Pellegrini is desperate to keep Pablo Zabaleta at West Ham United beyond the end of his contract – which expires at the end of the current campaign.
The 34-year-old has remained a regular part of the Hammers side this season, clocking up 20 Premier League appearances. However, it is unclear if the east London club will look to keep the Argentina international.
West Ham do have cover on the right side of the defence, with Ryan Fredericks being brought to the club in the summer from Premier League rivals Fulham on a free transfer.
However, Zabaleta remains first choice under Pellegrini, and now the former Manchester City manager is reportedly desperate to keep him at the London Stadium.
The report claims that if Zabaleta plays enough games, he will automatically earn a one-year contract extension. But Pellegrini is keen to keep the defender at West Ham, even if he does not reach the amount of games.
Spotrac claim that Zabaleta is earning £75,000 a week on his current contract and it remains to be seen what his demands would be if he was to remain at West Ham.
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