The Argentina international Sergio Agüero has given the green light to an approach from Manchester City after admitting he wants to leave Atlético Madrid. The 23-year-old striker is viewed by the City hierarchy as the ideal replacement for Carlos Tevez, although the Eastlands club denied on Friday morning that Juventus have made a £45m bid for their outgoing captain.
Agüero, who has a release clause of £38m in his contract at Atlético, said that he sees moving to England or staying in Spain – where he has been linked with a switch to Atlético's Madrid rivals Real – as his only options, but made it clear his future lies away from Atlético.
Agüero told the Argentinian radio station Radio La Red: "I have made clear in my statement that I do not see myself at Atlético. I will seek the best for me, I know that my representatives are working and for now I don't want to think about it. I will do something after the Copa América, when I am able to think calmly.
"But if I said I saw myself at Atlético, I'd be lying. I'd prefer to play in Spain or England – those are the two best countries."
"Atlético has been my place of work in Spain. I have given everything for the shirt and I have had a lot of fun but as far as my future is concerned, don't bet on anything."
City's financial muscle would see them lead the chase for Agüero as they seek a replacement for his Argentina team-mate, Tevez, who has signalled his intent to leave Eastlands as he seeks a move back to South America to be closer to his family.
The Brazilian club Corinthians were thought to be the only side so far interested Tevez and had a £35m bid rejected earlier this week but their president, Andrés Sánchez, has claimed that Juventus have also lodged a bid, and that the Italians are prepared to pay £45m.
"Nothing has changed. They [Manchester City] have to decide whether to sell or not," said Sánchez. "They have a proposal for €52m [£45m] from Juventus, but Tevez does not want to stay in Europe."
However, a City spokesman said on Friday: "We haven't had anything from Juventus." The club have already made it clear to Corinthians that they will have to increase their bid to land Tevez.
Real Madrid are the other club who have been linked with a move for Agüero, although the Real manager, José Mourinho, is thought to favour a permanent move for Emmanuel Adebayor, who spent five months on loan at the Bernabéu from Manchester City last season.
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
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