West Ham striker Mauro Zarate is being lined up for a loan move back to Argentina with River Plate, according to reports in South America.
The Argentine was signed last summer by Sam Allardyce with the full backing of the West Ham board on a free-transfer after he released himself from his contract at Velez, and penned a three-year deal at Upton Park, with an option of a further year.
However, he was never able to tie down a place in the first team, making only eight appearances for the club in the first half of the season, scoring twice and recording one assist.
Zarate was then sent out on loan to QPR, but after struggling for match fitness and picking up niggling injuries, making only four appearances for Rangers as they ended up relegated from the Premier League.
He returned to Velez after the season for a couple weeks worth of training to return to full fitness ahead of West Ham’s early pre-season start, and David Gold stated recently that he, and Modibo Maiga, will be given a chance to fight for their place.
However, River Plate are hoping they can striker a six-month loan deal with the Hammers to bring Zarate in until Christmas and the end of the Argentine season. Former River plate star Enzo Francescoli reportedly contacted Zarate this week about coming back to Argetina on loan.
