Sergio Agüero is out of contract at Manchester City this summer and will not be renewing his deal to remain under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, sparking a scramble for the Argentina international’s signature among Premier League clubs and across Europe. Agüero, 32, has been linked with several clubs including Juventus and PSG, but the former Atlético Madrid striker has a preference to join Barcelona. However, he has placed a condition on agreeing to a deal to play at Camp Nou and it is one that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has at the top of his to-do list this summer whether or not he pursues a deal for Agüero: the presence of Leo Messi.
Messi’s future holds the key to Barcelona’s summer plans
AFP
AS reported in March that Agüero had a two-year contract on the table at Barça but the Argentinean has stipulated that he will only sign on the dotted line if it is to play alongside his friend and international teammate Messi. Barcelona’s captain and talisman has been reluctant to pledge his future to the club after his frustrated attempt to leave last summer and much of the club’s planning hinges purely on whether Messi decides to see out his career at Camp Nou or seeks a new challenge elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the situation surrounding Agüero has been muddied somewhat with sources at Barcelona suggesting there is no agreement in place for the striker to join the club, despite Agüero’s apparent willingness to act as a back-up rather than an undisputed starter.
