Mauro Zarate has revealed he regrets leaving Lazio but believes a dream return to the club is unlikely to materialise.

The Watford man is currently on loan with Velez Sarsfield in his native Argentina after enduring an injury-plagued stay at Vicarage Road.

It seems unlikely the 31-year-old, who joined Watford from West Ham United in January 2017 and has made only three outings for the club, will return to the Vic upon the completion of his loan.

Having impressed at Lazio, Zarate joined Inter Milan in 2011, a move he regrets, and now says he dreams of a return to the Stadio Olimpico.

“I made a mistake in leaving Lazio at the time. I regretted it later,” he told Radio Incontro Olympia. Going back? I think it’s impossible.

“I’d love to go back and play in the team under Simone [Inzaghi], but we must also see if the coach wants me. It would be a dream.

“Lazio are in my heart and I’ll never forget the Biancocelesti fans. Where would I play? Surely behind Ciro Immobile or next to Luis Alberto or Felipe Anderson.”

Zarate suffered knee ligament damage while playing for Watford against West Ham in February of last year and hasn’t featured for the Hornets since.

After a protracted transfer, in which Sarsfield announced his arrival before paper work had been signed, Zarate completed a loan move to the Argentine side in January.

He has settled well to life with Sarsfield, playing regularly and contributing with goals and assists.