Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Pablo Zabaleta and Kieran Tierney Rumours

Manchester City full-back Pablo Zabaleta is reportedly a transfer target for Serie A side Inter Milan. The Italian club could even sign the 31-year-old for free next summer.

Zabaleta will be out of contract at the end of this season, a situation sure to encourage Inter, according to Italian source Calciomercato (h/t TalkSport).

The Milanese side is already considering its options: "The Serie A side have explored the possibility of signing the defender on loan in January, but that would command a fee. As a result Inter are expected to wait until next summer, when the right-back's contract expires, before snapping him up for free."

The same report noted how Inter were keen on Zabaleta this summer, along with Serie A rivals AS Roma. Although a deal couldn't be struck then, interest is said to have remained while the Argentina international has floundered somewhat since Pep Guardiola took over at City.

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The City manager has tended to prefer Bacary Sagna over Zabaleta. Perhaps he feels the powerful Frenchman has more energy for his pressing style.

Meanwhile, Sagna's experience at Arsenal makes him composed enough in possession to fit Guardiola's demand for his full-backs to play inverted and boss the ball in the middle.

Yet it would still surely be galling to lose Zabaleta for nothing. After all, he's been one of the Citizens' most influential players in recent seasons.

In fact, he was once rightly considered arguably the best right-back in the Premier League. Zabaleta boasted an awesome engine, quality delivery in the final third and the necessary resolve for defensive chores.

Those are qualities Inter would welcome, especially since one possible target may be headed elsewhere. Earlier this month, Italian outlets Tuttosport and La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t TalkSport) reported a deal to sign Manchester United's Matteo Darmian was almost done.

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But now the versatile full-back is being linked with a switch to La Liga giants Barcelona, according to Spanish publication El Mundo Deportivo (h/t Goal).

If Guardiola thinks Zabaleta has nothing left to give, he may encourage Inter interest, while stepping up his efforts to find a young replacement.

One possible target is Celtic's Kieran Tierney, although Premier League rivals Arsenal are also keen, per Daniel Cutts of the Sun: "Meanwhile, Manchester City are also looking at bringing in Celtic full-back Kieran Tierney. Guardiola faces competition for the highly rated 19-year-old from Premier League rivals Arsenal."

The report also noted how Guardiola has had Tierney scouted more than once and has been enamoured by the 19-year-old's performances. However, Guardiola is far from the only manager said to be keen on the precocious defender.

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The Daily Record recently reported how Bayern Munich and Liverpool have also shown an interest in the full-back. But the links with Arsenal seem the strongest, after the Record's Craig Swan reported the Gunners were ready to offer £10 million back in May.

However, Arsenal may need to step up their efforts considering Hector Bellerin is in such demand. Spanish source El Mundo Deportivo (h/t Sport Witness) has credited both City and Barcelona with interest in the dynamic 21-year-old.

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Bellerin will be a tough get, though, so City may be wiser to continue running the rule over Tierney.