Mauro Zarate – rated at around £5 million by West Ham now looks certain to go in the European shop window next month.
Rumour and counter rumour has been flying around the Argentinian’s head since he denied stories that he was unhappy with life earlier in the season.
However, there seems little doubt now that those who predicted following his arrival from South America in the summer that “it wouldn’t work ” were correct and the club is seriously looking at interest from Europe.
Torino are known to be interested along with other Serie A clubs plus a couple in Spain.
A source told us: “Despite the African Nations Cup and the likely departure of Diafra Sakho the club may well decide to let Mauro take the chance of a loan.
“He wants to play. Simple and if the right offer comes along we may well decidee that’s the way forward.”
Would be absolutely foolish to let him go. I don’t think we will.
On another note: Hugh – please copyedit your work! It really undermines the good work you try to do.
Sam should give him more playing time, he is a goal scorer and game changer, something different to what we have. I would be surprised if he is let out on loan especially as in January we will be without Sakho but who knows…
He definitely has a part to play as witness by the wonder goal he scored when in NZ and his performance was fantastic, but the next game he was played on his own as a front runner which doesn’t suit his style. Sam has his favourites and a stubborn streak to be proved right. he didn’t want him or Sakho, but that guy went to town so couldn’t be left out, but Zarate hits highs and lows.
The same can be said for not playing Valancia and Sakho together and his insistance to play Carroll and one other to the detriment of the other player every time.Yes he has scored 3, but the others are now suffering, so whilst he looks OK ,the rest of the forward line is going backwards. Zarate could play the Nolan role behind the front men with encouragement , but not being picked is going to sap confidence. Sam do not play square pegs in round holes and the team will benefit. Continue with your game plan and I fear we will suffer the consequences
We have waited years to have forwards of the type we have now,BS needs to understand that you need to rotate your squad to keep every one happy,we have not played the best teams for 5 or 6 weeks now and although I am a Carroll fan we undid the better teams earlier in the season without a big forward and these next 2 games need some different approaches,in the last 2 weeks Zarate and Valencia should have had at least 30 or 40 mins on the pitch,sorry Sam but Kevin needs a rest for these games and Mark needs to be 100% we can’t have any passengers.
It won’t happen in my view. If it did it would be the end of January.
One mans stubborn is another mans loyalty. When the season started BS was loyal to Sakho/valencia and this prevented zarate from getting much game time. ( how could you break up that partnership?!).
Then there was injuries. AC has come in and has been playing out of his skin. Valencia and zarate have both suffered for this.
But I think the real problem for zarate is, however good he is and he is very talented, he has only showed these rich talents in flashes. He is also prone to be bullied off the ball and as a result drifts out of the game too much.
So imo I believe that zarate needs to improve his consistency before he can truely showcase his talents.
For what it’s worth I really would hate for such a good player ever to be allowed to leave the club. COYI!