Sergio Aguero’s announcement that he will leave Manchester City has sparked no shortage of potential transfer rumours, the club’s greatest ever goalscorer set to depart on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Aguero is the highest-scoring overseas player in Premier League history and has netted a record 257 goals in all competitions for the club, his availability set to attract interest from a host of leading clubs in search of firepower this summer.
The 32-year-old could be a superb addition for any side on a free transfer, so here is the bookmakers view of the race to sign the Argentina international.
Paris Saint-Germain – 11/1
Paris Saint-Germain have been linked as potential suitors, with Mauricio Pochettino known to be a huge admirer of his compatriot’s goalscoring talents.
Aguero has won a wealth of major trophies during a decade of success at the Etihad, though is yet to lift the Champions League with PSG a side that can offer him a shot at European football’s biggest prize.
Alongside an Argentine head coach, there is also a strong contingent of South American stars at the Parc des Princes with international teammates Mauro Icardi, Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes joined by the likes of Neymar and Marquinhos.
Icardi has scored just five league goals this season in an injury-hit campaign and with Moise Kean’s future uncertain beyond his loan spell, Aguero could offer a cost-efficient way of strengthening significantly.
Atletico Madrid – 8/1
Could a return to Atletico Madrid materialise this summer?
Aguero spent five seasons in the Spanish capital before making the move to the Premier League, scoring 101 goals in 234 appearances and winning the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup.
It would be a romantic reunion between player and club, but Atletico have moved on hugely since Aguero’s first spell and would a 32-year-old with miles in the legs suit Diego Simeone’s relentless style?
Aguero remains an elite finisher but his wider contribution is now more minimalistic, the modern version hardly the sort of player who will run himself into the ground chasing lost causes for the greater good.
Simeone has, however, shown his ability to extract the most from ageing talent with a veteran Luis Suarez current firing Atletico’s title tilt, the prospect of two of the Premier League’s great South American superstars working in tandem – alongside the exciting Joao Felix – a fascinating one.
Arsenal – 7/1
Recent reports have suggested Aguero is keen to remain in English football and the Premier League, a scenario that leaves only a few clubs capable of securing his signing.
Moves to Manchester United and Liverpool appear impossible, though a switch to the capital could come to fruition with Arsenal regarded as a 7/1 chance to seal his signing.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has struggled to replicate his previous performances this season, whilst neither Alexandre Lacazette or Eddie Nketiah appear to have Mikel Arteta’s full faith.
Arteta spent three seasons working alongside Aguero at Manchester City and will know better than most the talent the forward possesses, the Spaniard potentially viewing the Argentine as a player who can help the Gunners back towards the top four.
Arsenal currently have an exciting contingent of youthful creative players in Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, making the prospect of Aguero providing the cutting edge at the Emirates an intriguing one.
Barcelona – 5/2
Barcelona have been linked with Aguero ever since the initial murmurs over his Manchester City exit, with the Catalan club in need of inspiration this summer as they bid to revitalise a project that has stagnated.
Concerning finances indicate that there is unlikely to be vast sums invested at the end of the current campaign, making a free transfer move for Aguero increasingly attractive as the club add an experienced goalscorer to their attacking options.
Luis Suarez’s departure last summer has left a void that has failed to be filled and Aguero could provide a perfect short-term solution, linking up with long-term friend and international colleague Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou.
Aguero will no doubt relish the sort of chances Messi can provide on a weekly basis and could join a list of prospective free agents in heading to Catalonia, Barcelona also understood to be interested in Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and Manchester City teammate Eric Garcia.
Chelsea – 2/1
Favourites with the bookmakers are Chelsea, whose odds have been slashed since initial rumours emerged of Aguero wanting to continue his Premier League career.
Chelsea spent £54m on the signing of Timo Werner from RB Leipzig last summer, though the Germany international has endured a difficult debut campaign and has just five league goals for the season.
Tammy Abraham also faces a fight to convince new head coach Thomas Tuchel of his talents after struggling for opportunities since the latter’s January arrival, whilst Olivier Giroud’s future appears to be away from Stamford Bridge as he enters the final months of his contract.
Chelsea are undoubtedly in the market for attacking reinforcements this summer and there will be few options that have Aguero’s combination of both availability and pedigree.
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