Sergio Aguero has confirmed that he intends to leave Manchester City at the end of his current contract in 2018, and return home to Argentina.
In a football age of acrimonious departures, this is perhaps bittersweet news for City fans, in that at least they know they get to watch their talisman terrorise Premier League defenders for another two full seasons, and he likely can't come back to haunt them unless it's in the Club World Cup.
Last month it was suggested that the 27-year-old would extend his current contract with City, but Aguero denied this on Argentine radio. Instead, he will return to the club where it all began.
In the last few months a lot of things have been said about a new contract, but I didn’t pay any attention,
he told radio station Independient en la Uno.
It’s clear to me that when my contract ends, I’m going to Independiente.
Aguero made his debut for Independiente aged just 15 years and 35 days back in 2003. Admittedly, it's slightly refreshing to see an elite-level striker intend to see out their contract like a normal, working human being, and only depart for footballing reasons when all is said an done:
Here at the club (Man City) they are great with me, they always told me that they were open if the chance of a transfer arises. But where am I going to go in Europe? No, when I go, when my contract ends, I’m going to Argentina to play for 'El Rojo' . From Manchester, straight to Avellaneda.
Aguero also confirmed that he had spoken to Lionel Messi about incoming City manager Pep Guardiola, but interestingly not since the Copa America last summer:
This year I haven’t talked about it with Leo, but when we were playing at the Copa America he was telling me about Guardiola. Leo told me that Pep is very demanding. He told me how much he had learned with him.
It’s pretty crazy that four months out you already know that your manager is going to leave and you also know who his successor is, but that's how it is for us. Hopefully we can win something so Pellegrini goes in the best way. Then we'll adapt to what Pep Guardiola wants.
Maybe Guardiola just popped up in conversation a full eight months ago. We'll say nothing.
H/T: Independent
