Guardiola gives Aguero transfer blessing to join Man City rivals
Pep Guardiola has given Sergio Aguero his blessing to join any of Manchester City’s Premier League rivals, saying he will be “delighted” with whatever decision he makes.
Man City announced last month that this will be the Argentine’s final season at the Etihad after a decade of service.
Aguero is yet to comment on his plans beyond this campaign, but he has already been inundated with enquiries from other clubs.
Barcelona and Aguero’s former club Independiente are leading the charge, but the forward is also the subject of interest from Premier League sides including Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.
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Selling Aguero to a Premier League rival could potentially come back to haunt Guardiola and City.
But the Citizens boss says this wouldn’t change his opinion of Aguero and that he’ll be happy for him wherever he decides to go.
Guardiola said: “The best for him, we wish – all of us. Find the best for Sergio for the last years in his career, for sure. We’ll be delighted with the decision he takes, the best for him and his family and his career.
“My preference is his preference. His preference is my preference. The best for him is the best for us.”
City made the Aguero announcement while the striker was battling with injuries, but the Argentine is now back in the first-team contention after returning to fitness.
On whether Man City acted too rashly and should have waited to see what impact Aguero would have from now until the end of the season before deciding to axe him, Aguero added: “Everything can happen.
“I’m sorry, I’m not a person who can see far away for more than one week. In football, I learned from my period as a player and a manager that everything can change quickly in a positive way or not a positive way.
Stuart Dallas scored an injury-time winner as 10-man Leeds United beat runaway leaders Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.
Dallas gave the visitors a surprise lead three minutes before the break with a low shot that went in off the inside of a post.
However, the dismissal of skipper Liam Cooper for a tackle on Gabriel Jesus before the opening period was over appeared to have given the visitors an impossible task.
City predictably dominated the second period but were made to wait until the 76th minute for their equaliser, when Ferran Torres drove home his first Premier League goal since December.
Instead of City completing a triumphant comeback, however, it was Leeds who came up with the winner as Dallas ran on to Ezgjan Alioski’s through ball before sending a shot past Ederson from the edge of the area.
It completed Leeds’ best win since their return to the top flight – and means Manchester United can cut City’s lead at the top to eight points if they win their games in hand against Tottenham and Burnley. City must take 11 points from their remaining six games to guarantee a third league title in four seasons.