Manchester City are set to land Espanyol midfielder Pablo Zabaleta.

The Sun says City still want to splash some of the cash earmarked to buy Ronaldinho in Spain - on £6million Zabaleta.

Manager Mark Hughes was interested in the Espanyol man when in charge at from Blackburn.

And he is ready to move for the 23-year-old Argentinian again now he is at City.

Zabaleta, who holds a Spanish passport, has five caps for his country and captained their Under-20 side to world championship glory in 2005.

Hughes is looking to bolster his options in midfield, especially on the right flank.