Zabaleta in line for new West Ham deal

The 33-year-old's contract is due to expire at the end of the current campaign, though the club have the option to extend his deal by a further year.

That option will be invoked automatically if the Argentine makes a set number of league appearances over the course of the season and with the former Manchester City man having started his side's last eight games in a row, that is beginning to look more and more likely.

However, so impressive have been the veteran's performances that he could be handed fresh terms regardless, according to the aforementioned source.

Zabaleta has been handed the captain's armband for West Ham's last two games, turning in a superb performance in the 4-2 victory over Burnley earlier this month.

With West Ham fans initially having been skeptical about another expensive and ageing full-back being brought in after Alvaro Arbeloa failed to make any sort of an impact, Zabaleta has successfully won them over with his solid and energetic displays.