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Espanyol defender Zabaleta heads to City

29/08/2008

Manchester City are close to signing Espanyol's Argentinean defender Pablo Zabaleta after having a bid accepted by the La Liga outfit.

The right-back, 23, is heading to Eastlands to agree terms and pass a medical.

City have reportedly met the Argentina international's asking price of £6.45 million.

"Espanyol have decided, taking into account the player must leave next Sunday to join up with his national team, to authorise the player to travel to Manchester to take a medical this Friday, while the English club deals with the documentation of the termination of the Argentinean full-back's contract with the Catalan team," a statement from Espanyol said.

"Until this moment, Espanyol have tried to convince Zabaleta to continue in Barcelona, but the defender has shown his determination to continue his career in the Premier League."

The move raises doubts over Vedran Corluka's future at City, with Tottenham Hotspur said to be interested in renewing their interest in the Croatian right-back.

City boss Mark Hughes yesterday concluding a deal to bring Shaun Wright-Phillips back to Eastlands after three years at Chelsea, having already signed his former Blues team-mate Tal Ben Haim and Brazilian striker Jo.