Mauro Zarate closes in on West Ham move... with Argentinian's model wife Natalie Weber set to prove a hit at Upton Park

Sam Allardyce was told he must excite West Ham fans next season after keeping his job. And the arrival of Mauro Zarate is sure to set pulses racing in the East End… or at least his wife will.

The former Lazio and Birmingham hitman is understood to be closing in on a move to Upton Park for an undisclosed fee from Argentine club Velez Sarsfield.

The Hammers face competition from a host of other suitors including Sunderland but the 27-year-old star, who has scored 19 goals in 29 league games in his second spell at boyhood club Sarsfield, is believed to be heading for talks in the capital this week with his model wife Natalie Weber in tow.

London-bound: Mauro Zarate (right) is understood to be closing in on a move to West Ham

Glamour couple: West Ham target Zarate poses with his model wife Natalie Weber

On the ball: Zarate's wife Natalie will likely set pulses racing in the East End

‘We have almost everything sorted out with West Ham,’ his brother and agent Rolando Zarate told Argentine radio station, Velez y su Mundo.

‘They asked him not to play against San Lorenzo but he wanted to play.

‘Mauro wanted to play because his love for Velez is very intense. But the club receive a good financial compensation.’