Sergio Aguero publicly announced late on Monday that he wants to leave Atletico Madrid, provoking the interest of Real Madrid and several other top European clubs.
“It is difficult for me to leave Atletico. It hurts me and saddens me. But I said a while ago that when I want to leave I will say so publicly. That moment has now arrived,” the Argentine striker said on his website.
“I have thought about it a lot. I realize that I should not put a roof on my possibilities to learn and grow. After five intense years a personal phase has finished and I have to start a new one.” Aguero, 22, joined Atletico from Argentine club Independiente in 2006 and quickly replaced the Liverpool-bound Fernando Torres as the idol of the Atletico fans.
He has scored 101 goals for the red-and-whites in 231 games, in the process helping them to win the 2010 Europa League and reach the King’s Cup final the same year.
However, he seems frustrated by Atletico’s lack of success recently — they finished seventh in La Liga last season — and disappointed at the imminent departure of Uruguayan strike partner Diego Forlan.
Early on Tuesday, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo insisted that Aguero was not for sale, saying: “We will not sell Aguero or listen to offers for him. He has just extended his contract with us.” Sports daily Marca said on Tuesday that Aguero would like to join Real Madrid. However, rival daily AS suggested that Real president Florentino Perez will not “start a war” with Atletico for Aguero, and that the Argentine will probably end up in Italy.
