Manchester City have announced Sergio Aguero, their record goalscorer, is to leave the club when his contract expires this summer.
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The 32-year-old Argentina forward, who has netted 257 goals in 384 appearances for City since joining them from Atletico Madrid in 2011, is far from finished, however; Aguero still has goals in his locker and the opportunity to sign such a prolific striker for nothing this summer will no doubt alert the world's elite.
Where will Aguero go though? And where would he be best?
Atletico Madrid
Returning to Atletico, for whom Aguero scored over 100 times across five seasons, would appear an attractive possible option, particularly with them currently leading the La Liga table. Under his compatriot Diego Simeone, there have been notable occasions in recent years when high-profile forwards have been brought back to the club, Fernando Torres returning in 2015 and Diego Costa doing so in 2017-18.
Aguero represents another cost-effective solution for Simeone and would thrive alongside either Suarez or Joao Felix. How would Aguero do in a side that don't have as much of the ball as City?
Barcelona
Should it be another of the Spanish top-flight big guns that Aguero moves on to, his past with Atletico would perhaps make Barcelona a more likely destination than Real Madrid. While Lionel Messi’s future is unclear, the prospect of him playing alongside his international team-mate Aguero at club level is an intriguing one.
Is Aguero what Barca need though? The club is entering a transition phase, may well have a new manager this summer and signing a striker on high wages, past his best and well into his 30s might not be the best start to a new era. Still, if Lionel wants his mate to come...
Paris Saint Germain
Aguero would, assuming there is no change in management, be working under another fellow Argentinian in Mauricio Pochettino should he head to France and Paris Saint Germain, whose squad features the likes of Mauro Icardi and Angel Di Maria. The Champions League runners-up have considerable strength in attack already, but Kylian Mbappe continues to be linked with a move away.
Aguero would be a peripheral figure in the PSG squad, looking at some of the talent already in the ranks. Maybe he'd like not being quite so front and centre, though - it would give him a chance to play at the top level and potentially conquer Europe while winding down.
Juventus
Aguero could be viewed by Juventus as a good option for providing some additional strength to an attack in which Cristiano Ronaldo, at the age of 36, is currently the main source of goals.
Is Aguero what Juve need though? Another legend in his 30s on the decline rather the ascent? There's no doubting that Kun could conquer Serie A but there are no doubt better long-term options out there.
Independiente
This would be a trip even further back down memory lane – Aguero was with Argentina’s Independiente prior to Atletico, having come through their youth ranks. He was aged 15 years and 13 days when he made his first-team debut in 2003.
Moving back home to Argentina and being closer to his family is undoubtedly a big pull for a striker who's spent most of his adult life in Europe. Is he really at that stage yet though? He's only 32 - there must be another couple of years left in the tank for Super Sergio at the top...
Arsenal
Willian, Luiz, Cech... Aguero? Arsenal have made this kind of signing before, pouncing on Prem regulars in their 30s to squeeze out the last of their best - to varying degrees of success. Alexandre Lacazette is stalling on a new deal and Mikel Arteta needs to invest funds in an attacking midfielder more than a hitman - plus he already knows Aguero from his time at City.
Arsenal have a lot of players on high wages as it is though; there's a focus these days towards signing younger talent and developing academy prospects: is it good business to dedicate a big contract to a player on the wane? Perhaps not but it would be great if Aguero were to stay in the Premier League just a touch longer.
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