Zarate unaware of Arsenal interest
442 Staff - Tuesday 19 January 2010, 16:11
Lazio forward Mauro Zarate - reportedly wanted by Arsenal and
Manchester City - has denied he is set for a switch to the Premier
League.
The Argentinian has netted 15 times in 50 league appearances for the
Eternal City outfit since arriving from Qatari club Al-Sadd.
He joined Birmingham City on loan in January 2008 and had an immediate
impact at St Andrews, scoring twice in the club’s 3-1 win over
Manchester City before eventually returning to the Middle East
following the Blues' relegation.
The 22-year-old has yet to make his debut for Argentina, although he
is still believed to be harbouring hopes of securing a place on the
plane to South Africa this summer with Italy should Diego Maradona overlook him.
And, according to reports, Zarate is set to enhance his chances of
playing at the global extravanganza by joining either the Gunners or
Roberto Mancini's Blues before the end of the month.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has admitted he is keen to recruit a new
forward in January to account for the losses of Robin van Persie and
Nicklas Bendtner through injury.
However, despite Zarate's agent revealing that the Gunners had been
in contact regarding a move for the forward, the player himself has
insisted that he knows nothing about a move and is solely focussed on
addressing Lazio's indifferent form.
"I will never leave Lazio," he said.
"I am telling the truth. I have not read anything. If I had, I would have replied.
"Avoiding relegation and doing well in the Coppa [Italia] are our priorities.
"It is a bad period for us and we clearly have to improve. Winning the Coppa Italia would be great though."
NEWS: Agent - Arsenal in contact about Zarate
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