West Ham striker Mauro Zarate is set for a loan move to relegation threatened Queens Park Rangers, it has been confirmed.
Zarate has found himslef way down in the pecking order, behind West Ham teammates Diafra Sakho, Enner Valencia and Andy Carroll this season, and the potential move has come as somewhat of a surprise - given that Harry Redknapp's QPR are hardly low on striking options.
Zarate hasn't made the impact expected when given his chance but has scored two goals in only seven games this season, in addition to a single assist.
The Argentine forward is contracted to West Ham until 2017 but his time at the club is set to be cut short, having hit out at the club, voicing his displeasure on Monday. He cited the fact he was not brought in by club manager Sam Allardyce, he rather by club co-chairman David Sullivan, reportedly telling the Daily Mirror on Monday night: "I now have the chance to play for a coach who has faith in me and will not allow his personal feelings to get in the way of what is good for the team," said the striker. "I respect the other strikers at the club who have done a good job. But I believe my record entitles me to respect and I have not had that from the manager. The chairman has confidence in me. I know this because he brought me to the club. But for this reason the manager has refused to play me. He did not want me."
Since then, Allardyce has come out and confirmed Zarate, who even Borussia Dortmund allegedly looked at in the summer, will move to Queens Park Rangers on loan from West Ham until the end of season after he has a medical in the coming days.
QPR will be hoping that Zarate will be able to provide that extra creative spark as he is a player known for his flair and dribbling ability, he is able to play as a lone striker but is more comfortable playing in the number 10 role just behind the striker.