Manchester City's season is over, but one of the team's internationals will not play this summer.
According to a report from Manchester Evening News, full-back Pablo Zabaleta will have to undergo ankle surgery in the upcoming weeks, causing the defender to miss the Copa América. Zabaleta is one of Argentina's most important players, but he won't be ready to play for the Albiceleste in the summer tournament.
The 31-year-old has been through a litany of injuries, limiting his participation to only 23 appearances in all competitions this season. The physical problems caused Zabaleta to lose his starting spot at City to Bacary Sagna, and the Argentinean has been heavily linked with a move away from Etihad Stadium all season.
The Italian league is believed to be in for the player, with Inter Milan and AS Roma having contacted City in the last few months about a potential transfer. Incoming coach Pep Guardiola will be in charge of a major overhaul of the squad, and the defensive group will be the most affected by the change. Young defenders like John Stones and Aymeric Laporte are heavily rumored to be joining the Sky Blues this summer, with veterans like Eliaquim Mangala, Martin Demichelis and Aleksandar Kolarov all set to depart the Citizens in the upcoming transfer window.
Vincent Kompany and Zabaleta will not be available to begin the preseason as both will be recovering from surgery, and it is safe to assume they could also be on Guardiola's shopping list if their injury problems are not solved.