Manchester City is hoping to sign a new right-back before the transfer window is closing Monday night and the 23 year old Pablo Zabaleta seems to be Mark Hughes’ top target for the job.

Espanyol had been hoping to keep their Argentine right-back but decided to accept a £6, 8 million Manchester City Bid.

“Espanyol have decided, taking into account the player must leave next Sunday to join up with his national team, to authorise the player to travel to Manchester to take a medical this Friday, while the English club deals with the documentation of the termination of the Argentinian full-back’s contract with the Catalan team”, it is stated on the official Espanyol website.

Pablo Zabaleta joined Espanyol in 2005 from San Lorenzo where he has been a regular first team player ever since. In 2006 he helped Espanyol win Copa del Rey.

Zabaleta is set to join City for £6, 8 million.