I’M OFF

Aguero wants to head back to Argentina in 18 months

SERGIO AGUERO has paved the way for his Manchester City exit – and an emotional return to his boyhood club in Argentina.

The club’s all-time leading goalscorer has revealed he intends to go in 2019 and return to Independiente – where he started out – to finish his glittering career.

The City striker said: “It came out that Milan and Real

Madrid wanted me and – I don’t know where I read it – but they said, ‘They just spoiled Independiente’s dream.’ “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 where it’s the priority but it’s always an option.” Aguero revealed his plan while on international duty with Argentina in Moscow ahead of Saturday’s friendly with Russia. City are adamant he has committed himself to a contract extension that ties him to them until 2020, but the 29-year-old has made clear his exit strategy a year earlier. The Blues’ continued pursuit of Alexis Sanchez (top) may even see Aguero leave next summer. Boss Pep Guardiola (above, left) remains keen to sign the Arsenal star, who is out of contract in the summer.