The former Birmingham City man is reportedly on the Merengues wish list after a sensational start to his Biancocelesti career.

“Clearly that is a club that everyone dreams of, but for the moment I am in Rome and do not want to disappoint the Lazio fans,” he told French magazine ‘So Foot.’

He settled in immediately at the Stadio Olimpico and has already scored seven goals for the club.

“I wouldn’t say it was easy. Let’s just say I had a lot of confidence in my own abilities. I was convinced I could have a great start.

“This is why I prepared physically during the summer more than ever before, so I could be ready for this challenge. The goals were the natural consequence of that work.

“I feel very good, the team is working well and we are not far off the Champions League places. I think I also settled quickly because Serie A is tactically similar to the Argentine League.”

The same could not be said of Qatar and club Al-Sadd, who still own his contract although a deal has been struck to complete the sale to Lazio over three years.

“I asked myself a thousand times what on earth I was doing there, but when faced with such a great deal of money, it is difficult to say no,” explained Zarate.

“They were all very kind with me, but I never adapted to their lifestyle.”