After ten seasons in the Premier League, Sergio Agüero decided to leave Manchester City to sign for Barcelona in the summer market of 2021. A situation that could be predicted, after playing a few minutes throughout the season for different injuries.
However, Agüero has revealed that his desire was to stay one more season in Etihad. “I had a contract until 2021 and Manchester City, five or six months before, told me that I was not going to renew. So I started looking for a club and it was,” says the Argentine for the media ‘Manchester Evening News’.
I wanted to continue because for me the City was my house. I wanted perhaps one more year
Sergio Agüero
“Obviously, I wanted to continue because for me the City was my house. I wanted perhaps one more year especially because I was willing to be on the bench if necessary,” he confesses. Agüero’s desire was at such a level that the former soccer player was willing to sacrifice minutes of play in order to remain in the English club.
The goal of the Argentine was to maintain a good level for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “In the last year I had already been playing occasionally with PEP, so I was willing to help from another side because I felt that staying one more year in the Premier League, even if it was from the bench and playing little, would serve me physically for the World Cup,” explains Agüero.
Sergio Aguero celebrates the title of the Premier League.peter Powel/Pool via Ap
“But you have to understand that the club also needed changes. It was a decision of the club and I think also very successful, because they also needed a substitute and perhaps staying in the City to be there as a substitute was not the most appropriate,” adds the former soccer player.
His arrival in Barcelona
“So it was best to look for a club and so it was his decision and, obviously, I took it very well.” In the summer of 2021, Barcelona announced to Kun Agüero as his new player for the next season, but a medical diagnosis would force him to retire before expected.
My agent told me that Barça asked me if I was willing to go there
Sergio Agüero
However, Agüero has revealed how negotiations with the Barca club happened. “A call came in which my agent told me that Barça asked me if I was willing to go there, but that they could not pay what the City paid me,” the Argentine begins to tell. “I said ‘Well, I don’t care,” says the former City.
Presentation of the Kun Aguerofc Barcelona
“I knew that what the City paid was not going to match any large team because of my age, so I said that they put the figures they want and try to solve it.
I told Leo (Messi) and was glad. I was excited to play with him
Sergio Agüero
“When I was almost everything agreed, I told Leo and he was glad and well then everything happened. What are you going to do? I was excited to play with him, but football is like that and things happen to accept,” the Argentine concludes.