Sergio Aguero will leave Manchester City when his contract expires in the summer, the Premier League club have announced.
Aguero, 32, joined City from Atlético Madrid in 2011 and went on to become the club’s record goal-scorer, having struck 257 times in 384 appearances.
City have announced that a statue of Aguero has been commissioned, to stand alongside those currently in work to honour David Silva and Vincent Kompany.
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What has the reaction been?
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said in a statement: “Sergio’s contribution to Manchester City over the last 10 years cannot be overstated. His legend will be indelibly etched into the memories of everyone who loves the Club and maybe even in those who simply love football.
“This is not yet the moment for farewell words and speeches. There is still much to achieve in the remainder of the time we have with Sergio, and we look forward to his contributions to the challenges which lay ahead.
“In the meantime, it gives me great pleasure to announce that we will be commissioning an artist to create a statue of Sergio to live at the Etihad Stadium alongside the ones under construction for Vincent and David. And we look forward to the opportunity to bid Sergio a fitting farewell at the end of the season.”
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Why has this decision been made?
Aguero was told by City last year that returning to full fitness by the end of 2020 would help his chances of getting a new contract, but due to various reasons that did not happen and he has barely made an impact on the first team yet in 2021.
The writing appears to have been on the wall for some time, with sources close to him discussing his exit as an inevitability as far back as January.
He was due to start the FA Cup third round tie against Birmingham that month but that comeback was derailed after he contracted Covid and he has started just two matches since then.
City never made a contract offer and those doubts about his fitness have, most likely, ensured that the club felt that the time was right to make a change.
Aguero would have been more than happy to stay at City and it is therefore likely that if he does already have something lined up, he would only have entered those talks after City had communicated their decision.
That came on Monday afternoon, when he was called into a meeting with Pep Guardiola. Immediately afterwards Aguero was called by City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
What could Aguero’s next move be?
Those sources who were planning for his exit had suggested Italy as a possible destination, as Sofia Calzetti, Aguero's girlfriend, is keen on the lifestyle. Inter had been touted as an option but they would not appear to be able to pay his salary.
More recently those sources have talked about offers from Spain as well as Italy. Barcelona have been most widely linked in the media.
Is the club likely to look for a replacement this summer?
A key part in City's decision will have been their determination to bring in a top class striker this summer, with Erling Haaland top of their list.
Haaland is the number one choice among supporters, too, but any striker will have an incredible job on their hands if they are to step into Aguero's shoes.
City could also bring in a second new striker in the summer, and The Athletic's David Ornstein has already reported their interest in Southampton's Danny Ings.
(Photo: Tom Flathers/Manchester City FC via Getty Images)
City confirm Aguero departure
It's going to be emotional… 💙
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5rehttps://t.co/4COpSpmz7a
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 29, 2021
