West Ham mainstay Pablo Zabaleta is likely to leave the club and call time on his playing career at the end of the season, according to Sport.
The Spanish outlet report that the former Argentina international is weighing up his future in the game after 15 years as a professional footballer.
Sport claim that Zabaleta is likely to relocate to Barcelona, where he played for Espanyol and owns a property with his wife, Catalan journalist Christel Castano.
It is said that the 33-year-old, who will turn 34 in January, believes now is the right time to hang up his boots.
OPINION
This is a surprising and suspicious claim from Sport, with Zabaleta giving no suggestion publicly that he is considering retirement at the end of the season. There have been several reports from the English press suggesting that Zabaleta is well on the way to earning a new deal at the London Stadium, with there being an agreement in place which triggers a fresh contract once he makes a certain amount of appearances this term. Even if that does happen and Zabaleta decides not to remain at West Ham, the Argentina international has also publicly spoken of his desire to end his career in the Middle East, just as Pep Guardiola did. He has also admitted that a stint in Serie A, where he has never played, also appeals. It would therefore come as a surprise to see him retire at the end of this season, especially when his form on the pitch means he has remained a regular for the Hammers this season.
