West Ham are hoping that Pablo Zabaleta can be convinced to stay at the Hammers for a further year.
The 33 year old defender is set again captain the team at Huddersfiled this weekend after inheriting the armband against Burnley in the absence of suspended Mark Noble.
That may have been a significant move by manager Manuel Pellegrini had the job originally been heading in Mark Arnautovic’s direction.
Zaba has dropped the heaviest of hints of course that he may be ready to seek pastures new at the end of campaign if his body is sending him the wrong messages.
But such has been his enthusiasm and pace this season – along with being one of those who understand the manager’s methods so well – that the club are hoping he will consider himself fit enough to continue into the 2019/20 season.
The 33 year old spoke of his possible Hammers departure in and interview in a well publicised with Arab News but Pellegrini is a massive admirer of the right back.
And a senior source – in touch with Claret and Hugh by phone declared: “Most good judges on the training field are astonished by Zaba and believe he has another two years in him. It would be a big loss if he left.”
As reported here, the player will be eligible for a new one year contract automatically once he has completed 28 appearances this season.