ZAB EYES THE DOOR

PABLO ZABALETA is preparing to end his nine-year love affair with Manchester City.

The Argentina defender will walk away from the Etihad when his contract expires at the end of the season after City failed to offer him the two-year deal he wanted.

Zabaleta (below) has become a cult hero at the club since he arrived from Espanyol for £6million the day before Sheikh Mansour’s takeover transformed the Blues.

He said: “I have a special relationship with City. I have been here nine seasons and my love for City is huge.

“But in football you have to make tough decisions sometimes, and I have to make a decision that is the best for myself and hopefully for the club.”

Yaya Toure, Gael Clichy, Willy Caballero and Bacary Sagna will all be free agents in the summer.

The 32-year-old Zabaleta added: “We all know some players will be leaving, but at this moment the most important thing is to think about City. I’m not thinking about a contract.

“All I am focused on his trying to finish as well as we can and secure a Champions League spot.”