AGUERO MAY LEAVE CITY IN 2019 TO GO BACK TO ARGENTINA

Aguero considers City exit in 2019 to return to Argentina

LONDON: Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has said he could leave the club when his contract ends in 2019 to play for his boyhood team Independiente in Argentina.

The Argentina international arrived at City in 2011 from La Liga side Atletico Madrid, having started his professional career with the Buenos Aires-based club at the age of 15.

During his six years at the Etihad, the 29-year-old has been prolific in front of goal and recently surpassed Eric Brook’s tally of 177 goals to become the club’s record scorer.

“It came out that AC Milan and Real Madrid wanted me and – I don’t know where I read it – but they said, ‘They just spoiled Independiente’s dream’,” Aguero told reporters.

“But the idea was always to go back to Independiente when my contract with City runs out in 2019. I have an option to extend one more year with City, where it’s the priority but it’s always an option.” Aguero is currently on international duty as Argentina prepare for friendly games against Russia tomorrow and Nigeria three days later.

Meanwhile, City have reported record revenue of £473.4mil (RM3bil) and a profit of £1mil (RM5mil) during Pep Guardiola’s first season in charge.

The Premier League club announced results to June 30, covering a 13-month period as they adjusts their financial year cycle, with turnover rising 21%.

City, who have been transformed since the 2008 takeover by Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Mansour and won the Premier League in 2012 and 2014, did not win a trophy last season.

But chief executive Ferran Soriano says the team have produced “exactly the type of quality football we want to be playing”.

City are unbeaten after 11 games and hold an eight-point lead at the top over Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.