Has Pep Guardiola cast doubt over Sergio Aguero’s long-term future at Manchester City?

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Pep Guardiola has cast doubt over the long-term future of Manchester City star Sergio Aguero after he admitted for the first time that the striker could depart the Ethiad Stadium in the summer.

The Argentinian has led the forward line for City since his arrival from Atletico Madrid for £38 million in the summer of 2011 but has recently found himself dropped to the substitutes bench following the emergence of Raheem Sterling, Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane as a dynamic front-line.

The Guardian report that Guardiola is keen for Aguero to remain at the club but admitted that the striker’s future beyond the summer was unclear.

“At the end of the season I don’t know. I know how difficult it is to find top goal scorers. I would like him to stay but I don’t know what is going to happen.”

Aguero has been forced to settle for a place amongst the substitutes for two of City’s previous fixtures, victories against West Ham United and Swansea City, with Guardiola electing to start Sterling, Jesus and Sane in his forward line. The three were first used together in the FA Cup tie against Crystal Palace and Guardiola admitted that he had been impressed by the new combination.

“At Palace I saw three guys in front with a high intensity and said ‘wow, I like what they do’. The reason he’s not played [Aguero] the last two games are because Leroy, Gabriel and Raheem have played amazing. My advice to the guys is keep going – show me again how good you are.”

There is little doubt that Aguero is one of the best strikers in world football and the diminutive Argentinian has already scored 18 goals in 26 appearances so far this campaign whilst he is closing in on the 200 overall-goal mark for City. However, Guardiola’s faith in the dynamism of a youthful forward line could leave the striker looking for more regular first-team football if he fails to re-claim his place in the starting eleven by the summer. There would certainly be no shortage of admirers and a host of the biggest club’s from around Europe would be willing to invest in his goal scoring prowess.

Guardiola hinted that Manchester City would not stand in Aguero’s way if he agitated for a move away from the Etihad.

“Sergio knows the intention of his manager and the club. I don’t want to sell him. I want him to stay here for a long time until he decides”.

Guardiola’s comments will certainly attract the attention of Europe’s leading clubs who will be looking on with much interest, as will City supporters, to see if the striker can re-claim his place in the starting eleven.

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