Manchester City trio Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy could be released next summer after contract negotiations were stopped.
All three individuals are in the final year of their respective contracts, and it had been feared that they would be axed this past transfer window.
However, according to The Sun, Pep Guardiola has told them to prove themselves this season and earn new deals by showing that they are capable of adapting to his style of play and performing consistently at a high level.
Given that they are all over 30, it doesn’t bode well for them given that the Spanish tactician has addressed other areas of his squad and will now be in a position to look at the full back positions in the coming transfer windows.
“There are no talks in pipeline to discuss possible contract extensions for Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy,” a club course told The Sun.
“All three are out of contract next summer but all given a reprieve by Pep Guardiola to prove themselves this season.”
With youngsters at the club also making their case to replace them in the starting line-up, time will tell as to whether or not the trio can keep their places and earn new deals as Guardiola has already shown that he will make big calls if necessary.
The three full-backs have been at City for a significant period of time and have made well over 300 appearances for the club between them.
Having been made to adapt to new roles which see them take up positions as holding midfielders off the ball, time will tell as to whether or not they satisfy Guardiola’s criteria to secure their long-term futures.