Five top clubs are reportedly interested in the Sergio Aguero transfer saga that is developing.
After 10 seasons, three Premier League titles and 257 goals in 384 matches, Sergio Aguero is officially leaving Manchester City at the end of the season.
Though the soon-to-be 33-year-old Argentine striker has suffered from an injury-plagued season, his exemplary scoring record and maturation in recent years have piqued the interest of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
With an estimated price tag of €25 million (£21.4 million) from the German-based football news website, Transfermarkt, Aguero is easily one of the most valuable free agents that will be on the market in the summer.
The former Olympic gold medal winner has also said that he is eager to take on a new challenge away from England.
“When a cycle comes to an end, many sensations arise,” Aguero tweeted. “Then, a new stage with new challenges will begin and I am fully ready to face them with the same passion and professionalism that I have always dedicated to continue competing at the highest level.”
With about eight weeks left until the end of the European season, rumours about Aguero’s next destination are flying off the back pages. Here is a list of the top five possible destinations for Kun.
Top Five Clubs Keen on Sergio Aguero Transfer This Summer
1. Barcelona
Since the return of Joan Laporta as president of Barcelona, the possibility of Aguero joining forces with his long-time friend and Argentina teammate, Lionel Messi, has been floated.
According to the Argentine news outlet, TyC Sports, Barcelona already have made a formal offer to Aguero, with Laporta reportedly contacting the player immediately after winning the election.
The reported bid to retain the services of Aguero, who spent five seasons with Atlético Madrid before his big move to City, is seen by some observers as a bid to convince Messi to stay at the club.
Despite some reservations from skipper Ronald Koeman, close Barcelona observers believe signing Aguero would be financially feasible, though he may have to take a hefty pay cut. Aguero is rumoured to be earning €15 million (£12.8 million) net per season.
His ability to play as a classic number 9 and experience scoring critical goals in big games is also something Barcelona have lacked this season, especially in the Champions League against PSG.
When asked about joining forces with Messi during an interview on the live streaming platform Twitch, Aguero responded, “who wouldn’t want to play with Leo?”
Just days before the 2018 World Cup kicked off in Russia, TyC Sport asked Messi about the possibility of joining Aguero at City ahead of the 2018/19 campaign. Messi responded: “If it happens, they [Barcelona] will bring him here.”
2. Juventus
With Juventus struggling to stay in the top four of Serie A this season and crashing out early in the Champions League once again, Aguero is also rumoured to be the ideal striking partner for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Juventus brought Ronaldo to Turin three years ago with the explicitly stated goal of winning the Champions League. With only one year left on Ronaldo’s contract, bringing in Aguero is seen as a statement of intent by the club to win Europe’s biggest prize.
Aguero is also viewed as an upgrade to Álvaro Morata, whose loan expires at the end of June, and someone who can score in the big games – something notably missing against Porto this season in the Champions League.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Juventus have already enquired with the player about obtaining his services. Like Barcelona, the team is attracted to the lack of transfer fee but would first need to shift some players to make room for Aguero’s salary.
Back in 2011, Juventus were only one step away from signing Aguero but did not meet Atlético Madrid’s asking price of €40 million (£34.6 million).
If he were to sign with La Vecchia Signora, Aguero would follow in the footsteps of Argentine compatriot Carlos Tevez.
His former City teammate joined Juventus at the age of 29, after four mostly successful seasons on the blue side of Manchester, scoring 50 goals in 95 games over two seasons.
3. Paris Saint-Germain
With the news of Manchester City’s decision not to renew Aguero’s contract breaking only days ago, CBS Sports insider Fabrizio Romano reported that PSG were among the first clubs to call the striker’s representatives.
Fellow Argentine and PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly keen to sign Aguero as a backup or replacement for Kylian Mbappe, should the World Cup winner depart this summer.
With Italian striker Moise Kean’s loan to PSG set to expire at the end of June and rumours that fellow Argentine striker Mauro Icardi may be sold in the summer, Aguero would reinforce what is already one of Europe’s most formidable attacking lines and provide Les Parisiens with the depth to win silverware domestically and in Europe.
Unlike Barcelona or Juventus, Aguero’s salary requirements would not pose a problem for the nine-time Ligue 1 champions. Aguero would also be given the chance to team up with fellow Argentines Leandro Paredes and Ángel de María if he were to join the French outfit.
According to Todo Fichajes, a Madrid-based sports e-magazine, sporting director Leonardo Araújo and Pochettino have discussed the possibility of signing Aguero. The report adds that PSG have been working behind the scenes for weeks to close a deal with the striker.
4. Chelsea
With veteran striker Olivier Giroud entering the final months of his contract and both Timo Werner and Tammy Abraham struggling to find form, Aguero is reportedly being considered as the West London club’s next striker.
The Daily Mail’s Dominic King reports that Aguero is keen to stay in England with Chelsea – in desperate need of a goal scoring number 9 – seen as a logical destination.
Recently-appointed manager Thomas Tuchel plays a similar possession-oriented style of football to Pep Guardiola too, increasing the chances that the Argentine can slot right into the side. Chelsea are also viewed as one of the clubs that could take on the striker’s wage demands.
Aguero has previously said he would like to play in London and was heavily linked to the club before leaving Atlético Madrid in 2011.
Back in 2010, amid the speculation on Aguero’s future after Atléti, the Argentine praised Chelsea’s history and abundance of attacking talent.
“Chelsea are a great club. They have become one of the most feared in Europe over recent years,” he reportedly said. “London would be a really amazing city to live in as well – myself and my wife could be really happy there.”
While Tuchel is said to be most interested in pursuing Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland, armed with a £260 million war chest to that end, Aguero would be a superb second choice should the Dortmund striker sign elsewhere.
5. Independiente
After leaving Club Atlético Independiente 15 years ago, players, staff and fans of the Avellaneda-based club are hopeful that the team’s prodigal son will make an emotional return to where it all started.
Aguero joined the club’s youth system at the age of nine and became the youngest player ever to debut in the Argentine Primera División at the age of 15 years and 35 days back in 2003.
In four seasons with the club (albeit, two in which he was very much a squad player), Aguero scored 23 goals in 54 league games.
While there is little doubt that Aguero could continue to play at the highest level in Europe, senior staff at the club are openly reminiscing about a promise Aguero made years ago to return home after his time in England ended.
“One day, a couple of years ago, he said that after England he would come. Now he writes a letter saying goodbye to Manchester City,” manager Julio César Falcioni told Clarín Sports. “There is not much to think about.”
César Falcioni rejoined Independiente at the beginning of the year. The last time he sat in the manager’s dugout at the club, Aguero was the team’s top scorer and propelled Independiente to fourth in the Torneo Apertura (first half of the season).
On top of his reported desire to return to his homeland, Aguero’s son and mother live together in nearby Buenos Aires, serving as a powerful pull factor for any footballer.
Long-time fan and journalist covering Independiente, Eduardo González told sporting newspaper Olé that he believes Aguero will return to the club soon.
“He already promised three times that he would return to Independiente,” González said. “I don’t think there is simply a gesture of love from him.”
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