Only a few weeks ago, Sergio Aguero had entered into double figures for the season with two goals against Swansea City in the Premier League. It helped Manchester City maintain their 100% start to the season. Fast forward only a couple of weeks and Aguero has not scored since then. More importantly, rumours have started linking him with a move away from Manchester City. Those rumours are not linking him to Real Madrid or any other foreign club, but they are backing him for a move within the Premier League with reports from the Express Sport suggesting Tottenham, Arsenal, and Chelsea are showing interest.
Aguero has certainly not been at his best in the last one month, but it is down to a combination of an injury, international break, and the manager simply not selecting him. Guardiola did not pick the striker for the games against Everton and Barcelona. Both games ended up as a defeat for City, who are without a win in the last six games. It is the worst run in his managerial career for Guardiola, and it is not a coincidence that it has come at a time when Aguero has not been at his best.
For his part, Guardiola has not shown any public sympathy towards Aguero as it is widely believed that Guardiola is a manager who wants his strikers to contribute as much as a midfielder. This high demanding nature seems to have led to clashes with Aguero within the dressing room. Transfer rumours that arise just before the January transfer window could be easily brushed off, but this is concerning one of the top strikers in the world and several bookmakers have shortened the odds.
Guardiola has never been the manager to be held to ransom by a player. There have already been some high-profile casualties at Manchester City since Guardiola came to the club in the summer. Samir Nasri and Joe Hart have gone out in surprising fashion, while Yaya Touré is also expected to follow suit shortly. However, it would be hugely surprising if Guardiola decides to do away with a player who is as important to the club as Lionel Messi is to Barcelona.
Aguero was once again on the bench for City in the EFL Cup game against United. City ended up losing the game 1-0 even after bringing Aguero as a second-half substitute. It is also reported that clubs in Spain are also closely monitoring the situation. At 28 years of age, the striker is at the peak of his career but it would take an awful lot of money to prize him away from City. It would be the only source of concern for clubs like Tottenham, who have already invested a sizable chunk of cash on a new stadium.
