Transfer rumour: Odds slashed on Sergio Aguero making a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal
In what will be one of the most fascinating transfer stories of the Premier League, odds have been slashed on Manchester City stalwart Sergio Aguero’s move to Arsenal. Ladbrokes, the British gambling company, have slashed odds on the transfer from 16/1 to 6/1.
The Argentinian striker has had a start-stop campaign at Manchester City so far this season and was even dropped for Manchester City’s game against Everton and their trip to the Nou Camp by manager Pep Guardiola.
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According to Express Sport, several clubs are interested in signing the Manchester City ace apart from Arsenal, with Tottenham and Chelsea being the other clubs in line to secure his services.
But, there’s also interest from Spain for the Argentinian international, with Real Madrid the frontrunners in signing the striker, while reports suggest that former club Atletico Madrid could also make a move for the player.
A move to Arsenal could be detrimental to City’s quest in regaining the league title but will complete the final jigsaw in Arsenal’s ever-improving team. Guardiola will be aware that selling Aguero to Arsenal could come back to haunt him as Arsenal are deadly in attack and a striker of Aguero’s quality could help them vastly in becoming champions.
Meanwhile, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has dismissed rumours linking Aguero with a move to White Hart Lane and laughed off the transfer speculation and simply replied, "Not true, 100 per cent not true."
Although the City star has been a vital part of the club’s recent success, speculation of his exit from Manchester City doesn’t come as surprise as Guardiola has already shown that he isn’t shy of selling star players or benching them as was evident with the transfers of Samir Nasri and Joe Hart, and the treatment meted out to City legends Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany.
Aguero will leave only if he wants to: Guardiola
The possible exit of Aguero could be because of his niggling injuries, but may also be due to the Argentinian not fitting in Guardiola’s tactics and plans. The Manchester City manager previously dismissed speculation of Aguero’s transfer but also said that the player would leave only at his behest and not Guardiola's.
The Manchester City manager said this about the Argentinian’s future after Manchester City’s huge defeat to Barcelona, “With respect to Aguero, it was a tactical decision. I wanted one more midfield player in the middle. I try to keep the ball because when you have it, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez don't.”
The former Barcelona coach continued, "The next time before you give your opinion and decide Sergio is not in my plans you can call me. I appreciate him as a football player and as a man. When Sergio decides to leave Manchester City, it will be his decision.”
Also read: Pep Guardiola says he will never manage Real Madrid
The emergence of youngster Kelechi Iheanacho and Guardiola preferring Kevin de Bruyne in the False 9 position has meant that Aguero’s position in the starting XI is not certain.
The City striker has been prolific since signing for the club in 2011 for around £38 million. The Argentine international has led the club to two Premier League titles, scoring the decisive goal in the last minute of the last game in 2011 to snatch it away from arch-rivals Manchester United. The Argentinian has also won two League Cup titles with the Manchester club.
Whatever happens, Aguero will go down in Manchester City history as one of their most important players ever.