West Ham legend Sir Trevor Brooking has endorsed the cub’s efforts to land Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta. Hammers boss Slaven Bilic has been linked with a move for Zabaleta, 32, who is leaving City at the end of the season.
Zabaleta is said to have been offered a two-year deal at the London Stadium as Bilic attempts to strengthen his rearguard ahead of the new campaign following an indifferent Premier League season.
And Brooking, whose defining moment as a Hammers hero came when he headed home the winning goal at Wembley to land West Ham the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Arsenal in 1979, believes the defender has the experience, leadership qualities and versatility much-need by Bilic’s outfit.
He said: “If you link him to West Ham, which seems to be the case at present, he’d be absolutely perfect. He can play a few different roles, but more than anything, the West Ham team have lacked leaders.
“When things have gone a little bit dodgy during a game and you’re looking around for who is going to get hold of it and put a couple of tackles in; Zabaleta would be perfect for this group of players at the club. Whoever he ends up with, he’s going to be a plus. I’d be delighted if he joined West Ham.”