Guardiola: Aguero’s future at Man City unclear

Pep Guardiola has admitted he is uncertain if striker Sergio Aguero will still be at Manchester City after this season.

Speculation over the future of Aguero, despite the prolific Argentine’s 18 goals this season, has recurred throughout Guardiola’s first season in charge at the Etihad Stadium.

Questions have again been asked in the past fortnight, with the 28-year-old having to make do with a place on the bench while new signing Gabriel Jesus has taken the plaudits.

Asked if he feared the striker might leave in the summer ahead of Man City’s match against Bournemouth on Monday, live on Sky Sports, Guardiola said: “At the end of the season I don’t know. I know how difficult it is to find top goalscorers.

“I would like him to remain, but I don’t know what is going to happen. Even in my career I didn’t know what would happen at the end of the season.”

Aguero, who is contracted to 2020, has scored 154 goals for City since joining the club in 2011.

Guardiola has repeatedly said Aguero has earned the right to leave the club at a time of his own choosing.

When asked why Aguero might feel unsure of his future, Guardiola said: “I don’t think he feels that way.

“Sergio knows the intention of his manager and the club. I don’t want to sell him, I want him to stay here for a long time until he decides.

“The reason he’s not played the last two games is because Leroy [Sane], Gabriel and Rash [Raheem Sterling] have played amazing. That’s the only reason why. He remains a top player and an important one for us to achieve our goals. I don’t have doubts about that.”