Argentine striker Mauro Zarate is close to joining West Ham United this summer, according to his brother and agent.

Zarate, 27, played his final game for current club Velez Sarsfield on Tuesday, scoring twice against San Lorenzo to secure sixth spot.

His brother and agent Rolando told Velez y su mundo:"We have almost everything sorted out with West Ham, they asked him not to play against San Lorenzo but he wanted to play.

"Mauro Zarate and his family's love for Velez is huge, but the club receive a good financial compensation."

Zarate spent six months in England in 2008 when he joined Birmingham City on loan from Qatari side Al-Sadd with a view to a permanent move.

The Argentinian Under-20 international impressed at St. Andrews, but eventually joined Serie A side Lazio after the Blues were relegated to the Championship.

After five years with Lazio, Zarate was loaned to Inter Milan for a season before joining Argentinian side Velez Sarsfield in 2012.