The completion of a six month loan deal for Mauro Zarate to QPR yesterday was a good financial deal for West Ham. The Hammers received loan inquiries from more 14 clubs meaning they could charge a premium for his six month loan. I understand QPR will pay his full £40,000 per week wages plus an additional £500,000 loan fee. He is likely to make his debut against Burnley in the league this weekend.
Harry Redknapp told the QPR official website: “We’re really pleased to bring Mauro in. He’s a good footballer, someone with great ability who can play as a number 10.
I first saw him when he was on loan at Birmingham quite a few years back and I actually tried to take him to Portsmouth back then.He’s a more-than capable player, he’s already shown that, and hopefully he can come in here and do well for us.Zarate, who impressed in the Premier League during a loan spell at Birmingham City in 2008, is relishing the opportunity to prove his worth once again in the biggest and best league in the world.
Zarate added "I am happy,I need this, I need to play and Queens Park Rangers have given me this chance to show what I can do. The Premier League is the best in the world at this moment. Does my style suit the Premier League? Maybe. We will see! When I met the manager he told me he wanted to sign me for Portsmouth before, but in that moment I went to Lazio. But now I am here and will play for him.I will try to do different things with the ball, some skills to make the difference for the team, for me and for the other players. I am fit and I hope I can be involved on Saturday.”
Under the terms of the loan deal, Zarate will not be eligible to feature against West Ham when the two clubs meet in the Premier League at Loftus Road on Saturday 25th April. Zarate joined West Ham on a free transfer after personally buying himself out of his contract with Velez Sarsfield. He signed a three year contract with the Hammers with an option for a further year. Should he have a good loan spell with QPR this could increase his transfer value with a potential sale in the summer window. Should there be a change of West Ham manager at the end of the season he may still have a future at West Ham.