West Ham should officially announce their first signing of the summer by Friday.
And it should come as no surprise to most that Pablo Zabaleta is set to sign a two-year contract after agreeing on personal terms with the Hammers.
Well-placed Ken Dyer writing in the London Evening Standard claims it could be completed within the next forty-eight hours after heavy hints from Karren Brady of an experienced player joining in her Sun football diary at the weekend and further hints of an early quality signing by Director of Recruitment, Tony Henry.
And ClaretandHugh has learned that but for a few details which need to be tied up with agents the deal is now all but done.
Zabaleta earned £90,000 per week at Manchester City and his total package with the Irons is said to be similar to land the 32-year-old right back. His package is said to include a lower basic so not to break the current wage structure but is boosted by appearance fees plus performance related bonuses in a similar way that Payet’s wages were structured.
Zabaleta was offered to Serie A side AC Milan in the past few weeks but decided to move to the London Stadium.
Very happy with this business, he’s 10X’s the player Arbeloa is.
Good at defending, and going forward.
Very experienced in the premier league.
And no doubt would do good for the likes of Byram.
Signing a player here who is gonna be no better than average when we need to excel in this window. Ominous signs for the rest of the window.
This will be a really wise transfer.I was nattering with a city fan over the weekend and he said it was an absolute no brainer if we get the chance to sign him.
I have been reading the other sites tonight and the abuse Defoe is getting for saying he had unfinished business with us but has gone to Bournemouth.What did these crackpots think he was going to do if we didn’t want him,join a monastery and never play football again.
Very much the right kind of signing for us, a PL winner who brings in experience & class. No worries that he wont be good enough for this league & at 32 is not over the hill for a defender.
Saying that I wont believe it until it is official
Happy at this signing, now it won’t be such an issue when Byram gets his now customary suspensions.
Well , we certainly need someone . At least it would be a positive signing . He could have a good influence on the pitch . Bit of a Yellow card magnet though .
happy, also act as a tutor for Byram. So when he leaves Sam will be ready to take Zaba’s spot.
I always say when I see them in the shirt, then I believe it. I do think Byram is showing some proper potential and Zaba will be such a good mentor for him, he’s gonna learn a lot from him.
Did I miss something with the Defoe to Bournemouth. What the inside info? Was it that we didn’t want him or that Biuremouth moved faster & offered more. Or just that Bouremouth are now a bigger club? Just joking…I think.
Talked to some City Fans after their game at Watford on Saturday, and they just laughed when I mentioned we were going to sign this bloke!!!
Laughed because they didnt think we could get him or laughed because they thought he was useless.If the latter then i think it is bullcrap because i havnt heard a single City fan i know say a bad word about him.Either as a man or a player.
I think you are being a tiny bit playful if the latter fugmaster.
Ha! They had been drinking, it’s true !! I hope he’s a good purchase for us Stan the Man, and gee’s them up in the dressing room , to boot!!