Sergio Aguero: Manchester City striker to leave at end of season, with club to commission statue of him at the Etihad

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will leave the club at the end of the season when his contract expires.

City informed Aguero they would not be renewing his contract after a season largely spent on the sidelines, with injuries and illness keeping him to only 14 appearances so far this season.

Aguero, who was signed from Atletico Madrid in 2011, will be honoured with a statue at the Etihad Stadium, which will stand alongside those of his former team-mates David Silva and Vincent Kompany.

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City manager Pep Guardiola spoke with Aguero, 32, in person on Monday before the announcement was made, while chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak called the striker to inform him of plans for the statue.

The Argentina international has helped City win four Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and five League Cups over his 10-year stay, with the club still chasing a quadruple this season.

Aguero is also City’s record goalscorer, with 257 goals in 384 appearances for the club, having surpassed Eric Brook’s 78-year record in 2017.

In a statement, Aguero said: “When a cycle comes to an end, many sensations arise.

“A huge sense of satisfaction and pride remains in me for having played with Manchester City for a whole ten seasons – unusual for a professional player this day and age.

“Ten seasons with major achievements, throughout which I was able to become the top historic goalscorer and forging an indestructible bond with all those who love this club – people who will always be in my heart.

“I was to join during the reconstruction era of 2011, and with the guidance of the owners and the contributions of many players, we earned a place among the greatest of the world.

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“The task to maintain this well-deserved privileged position will remain on others.

“As for myself, I will continue to give it my utmost for the rest of the season to win more titles and bring more joy to the fans. Then, a new stage with new challenges will begin, and I am fully ready to face them with the same passion and professionalism that I have always dedicated to continue competing at the highest level.”

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “It gives me great pleasure to announce that we will be commissioning an artist to create a statue of Sergio to live at the Etihad Stadium alongside the ones under construction for Vincent [Kompany] and David [Silva].

“We look forward to the opportunity to bid Sergio a fitting farewell at the end of the season.”

City interested in Ings as Aguero replacement

Manchester City are interested in signing Southampton striker Danny Ings this summer as a potential successor to Sergio Aguero.

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Aguero is set to leave City at the end of the season and identifying his replacement has become one of the Premier League leaders’ top priorities.

Their search has included all of the world’s top centre-forwards, including Erling Haaland of Borussia Dortmund.

But with Haaland also wanted by Real Madrid, Manchester United, Chelsea and others – and his market value said to be £100m – Ings has been identified as a more attainable option by the champions-elect.

The 28-year-old has restored himself as one of the Premier League’s top goalscorers since joining Southampton permanently from Liverpool in 2019 and forced his way back into the England fold.

When does the summer transfer window open?

The Premier League says no decision has yet been made over dates of this summer’s transfer window.

FIFA’s Transfer Matching System website lists the dates for the men’s window in England and Scotland as June 9 to August 31.

But each league can alter their dates within that timeframe.