Real Madrid and Manchester City could negotiate a deal that sees Sergio Aguero and Isco move in opposite directions, as president Florentino Perez plots a move for his next Galactico.
Le10 Sport (via AS, h/t Football Espana) said Perez “would attempt to realise his long-held dream of signing Kun” if Cristiano Ronaldo departs the Bernabeu in the summer, as the president has always harboured ambitions to capture the striker. The supremo tried to buy Aguero when he was at Atletico Madrid but a deal couldn’t be agreed by the fierce rivals.
City coach Manuel Pellegrini previously tried to sign Isco from former club Malaga before the Spain international decided to head to Spain’s capital city, according to Football Espana.
Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press
Ronaldo’s future holds the key, as speculation continues about his intentions beyond this season.
El Confidencial (h/t Sport) recently reported disharmony at Los Blancos, as a number of players reacted badly to criticism from coach Rafael Benitez after the recent loss to Sevilla. Isco was named as one of the unhappy players, and this could influence the midfielder’s thought process.
Aguero has had many spells on the touchline with injury, but his form and class in a City shirt is undeniable.
The diminutive attacker scored 26 goals and claimed eight assists in his 33 appearances in the Premier League last term, per WhoScored.com.
Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
As reported by ESPN FC, speaking on a recent episode of the Jonathan Ross Show, Ronaldo hinted at a possible move back to Manchester United, insisting he is still a “huge supporter” of the club he “loves.” CR7 has continued to flirt with the Red Devils in public, forcing rumours about an impending move away from Madrid.
If Ronaldo leaves, it will open up an opportunity for Aguero to return to La Liga, and the chance to replace the Portuguese icon would likely be difficult to resist.
Eurosport’s Graham Ruthven believes the relationship between Benitez and his stars will dictate what happens next at the Bernabeu, suggesting Ronaldo could join Paris Saint-Germain:
It’ll be like the classroom scene in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, with Benitez calling Cristiano Ronaldo’s name over and over again on the roll call. “Cristiano? Cristiano? Cristiano?” It can’t be long before Ronaldo is as bored with Benitez as Bueller was with his economics teacher and feigns illness to sing in a parade or join PSG.
Is Aguero the right player to replace Ronaldo considering his injury record?
Aguero fits the bill, with Gareth Bale fulfilling the deeper attacking function Ronaldo once did. A pairing of the two would ensure Los Blancos remain at the forefront of the Primera Division title race in the years ahead, also keeping the side competitive in the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
The Argentinian certainly has questions to answer about his long-term fitness, but the calmer setting of Spanish football over the Premier League would mean there are less demands on his body, suggesting a transfer to Real makes perfect sense for the 27-year-old while he is in the prime of his career.
Source link