Zabaleta to Juve ? Not Impossible

The agent of Espanyol star Pablo Zabaleta has not ruled out the possibility of his client signing for Juventus before the end of the transfer window.

Zabaleta’s stock is rising fast, and the interest from Serie A clubs in his services has been building steadily this summer, with Genoa, Palermo, Fiorentina and Napoli all strongly linked with the player.

Over the past few days the 23-year-old, who has impressed for Argentina on their run to the final of the Olympics in Beijing, has been heavily associated with a move to Juventus.

The Corriere dello Sport claimed that the Bianconeri have sent scouts out to Beijing, and are considering making a move to bring the player to Turin for the start of the 2009/10 season.

However, other reports in Italy suggest that Juve want to sign the player immediately, due to a host of injuries in midfield to the likes of Cristiano Zanetti, Claudio Marchisio and Marco Marchionni.

Zabaleta has a minimum fee release clause of just €8m, which is also very attractive, and the player’s agent is not ruling out the possibility of a move.

"You know how football goes, until August 31 everything is possible,” Horacio Gaggioli told Tutto Mercato Web. "I haven't had contact from the Bianconeri, but the whole of Europe appears to want the player."

Zabaleta, who can also fill in at right back, is well suited to Juve coach Claudio Ranieri’s 4-4-2 formation, and he also comes with the added bonus of possessing a Spanish passport.