West Ham co-owner David Gold has taken to Twitter to announce the return of both Mauro Zarate and Modibo Maïga for the club’s summer training. Gold confirmed that “Both Maïga and Zarate will be back for pre-season training” in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Zarate will join the squad following an unsuccessful loan stint at Queen’s Park Rangers, whilst Maïga has had something of a hot and cold spell at relegated French side FC Metz. It is unknown whether either striker will remain with the club come the start of the Premier League season, though both will have the opportunity to impress whoever succeeds former manager Sam Allardyce.
Both Maiga and Zarate will be back for pre-season training. dg https://t.co/w0Mit83fso
— David Gold (@davidgold) May 27, 2015
West Ham are lacking in striking options with the departure of Carlton Coe this summer, and will need to add to their ranks. Maiga’s return is particularly surprising, as FC Metz had a buy clause of around £3m, which they have turned down, despite a decent season back in Ligue 1. The club are hoping this has reinvigorated the talented Malian, whose most notable moment as a West Ham player was his winning goal at White hart Lane against Tottenham in the Capital One Cup last season.
The same is hoped for Zarate, who has returned to his homeland and former club Velez to build up his fitness following an injury-hampered loan sell at relegated QPR.
MORE: Here’s our take on what lies ahead for striker Modibo Maiga. Read.
