Gunners boss keen on Zarate

3:51pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

ARSENAL are believed to be weighing up a move for talented Argentinian forward Mauro Zarate.

The 21-year-old scored four goals in six starts for Birmingham City after signing on loan from Qatar outfit Al-Sadd in January.

Blues officials had been in negotiations with the player's agents over extending the loan deal through to next season, but he quit the club following their relegation from the Premier League.

Now the Gunners are reported to be one of two Premier League clubs showing an interest in signing the youngster.

"Mauro's going to be an attractive proposition to Premier League clubs - in fact I know he is," Birmingham boss Alex McLeish told the Birmingham Mail.

"I said, at times, if he went into a team a little bit technically more proficient than us - and I meant that with no disrespect to our boys - he would be even better.

"He's a real talent and it's just a shame that our situation counted against us."

Al-Sadd are said to be demanding £20 million for Zarate's signature, so a season-long loan deal would appear to be the most likely option for the north Londoners.

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