Dozens of Manchester City fans have been reacting on social media to reports by The Mirror, claiming the Etihad Stadium side have not yet ruled out offering Sergio Aguero a new contract.
Aguero’s current £230,135-a-week deal is due to expire at the end of next season, but could yet be offered a one-year extension that would see the Argentine superstar remain in the Premier League until the age of 34 and boast an English top-flight career lasting over a decade.
It is suggested that any new deal would depend on Aguero’s form in the 2020/21 season following his return from a knee operation, when he may face greater competition for minutes should Pep Guardiola opt to tap into the transfer market for a new centre-forward.
Gabriel Jesus is not believed to have yet convinced Guardiola that he could take over the reins from Aguero in the long-term, having netted 12 times in 31 Premier League appearances this season to the former Atletico Madrid ace’s 16 in 24 outings.
Only England winger Raheem Sterling has found the back of the net more often than Aguero with 17 goals this league term, though has featured in 30 of Man City’s 35 fixtures, while Jesus has also taken the Sky Blue’s most shots with 72 efforts to Kevin de Bruyne’s 66 and Sterling’s 59, per Sofa Score statistics.
Aguero, in comparison, has struck 54 shots this league season, of which 28 have been on target, while creating the same number of big chances for teammates to score (four) as Jesus yet spurning fewer big chances to score with 12 efforts wasted to the Brazilian’s 22.
Aguero’s output and hero status at the Etihad Stadium naturally led to a wide array of supportive messages on social media from fans who would be keen to see a new deal tabled…
Do IT NOW 🤩💙
— *Aditya Chaugule* (@AdityaChaugule) July 12, 2020
Yessssssss we love you Idolo, Mr Loyal, @aguerosergiokun
— Mike (@GeniusKDB) July 12, 2020
2 years would be perfect 💙
— Mark N (@mark_n0) July 12, 2020
He will accept, he will want to break more records and become 2nd top goalscorer in pl history…
— An Honest City Fan (@e7eddf6d990d405) July 12, 2020
Oh please make it true, will miss this man so much. I wish David Silva was staying too.
— Marguerite Montague (@megadams17) July 12, 2020
We can’t let him leave. https://t.co/ZqUvURrqBe
— Ed Gaboor (@mcfc_pride) July 12, 2020
While Manchester City’s reported plans for Aguero focus on a one-year extension, some of the Citizens fanbase would be open to seeing the 97-cap Argentine awarded a longer deal that could see him end his career at the club.
he should be given a contract termed ” till further notice” for him to play until he can’t be able to even kick ball again. Can’t bear it seeing him playing in another club
— Bob Ovohkoh (@JonThom18290749) July 12, 2020
lifetime contract.
— Bradley (@BradMCFC1998) July 12, 2020
Give the man an open contract until he rot in the club ❤️
— Nizar K (@Nyzo_k) July 12, 2020
As well as being open to Aguero staying in Manchester for longer, some supporters have noted the impacts it could have on other players such as Jesus, who could become disenfranchised or disheartened by the prospect of fighting for his future.
good with me just play jesus on the left more to stop him feom leaving @ManCity
— Shawn (@shawnthesharkk) July 12, 2020