Barcelona set Sergio Aguero exit conditions after Lionel Messi seals PSG transfer
Lionel Messi 'wanted to stay' says Barcelona president
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Barcelona want money for Sergio Aguero if they’re to let the Manchester City icon follow Lionel Messi out of the Nou Camp exit door, according to reports. The Argentine only joined the club earlier this summer. But, in the wake of his compatriot’s move to Paris Saint-Germain, he could be primed to leave.
Aguero recently insisted he’d be staying at Barcelona this season.
But the Daily Mail say the Argentine’s long-term future at the club is still up in the air following Messi’s blockbuster move to PSG, where he’s signed a two-year contract.
Aguero was signed to appease Messi, who had been previously been denied his wish of seeing Neymar return to the Nou Camp.
But, with his close friend no longer a Barcelona player, he could leave.
The Catalan giants, it’s stated by the publication, will not let the former Manchester City star depart the club on a free transfer.
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Instead, they’d rather bank a fee for Aguero from any potential suitor as they look to balance the finances in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Chelsea were interested in the 33-year-old prior to his move to Catalonia, with Thomas Tuchel an admirer.
However, with the Blues primed to re-sign Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan for a fee close to £100million, it’s hard to see them going back in for Aguero.
Barcelona are still open to cutting other players loose this summer, too, despite the heartbreaking departure of Messi.
Philippe Coutinho has never lived up to expectations following his move from Liverpool in the January transfer window of 2018 and, with Leicester and Arsenal linked, could be jettisoned.
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It’s a similar story with Ousmane Dembele, too, who has toiled ever since joining from Borussia Dortmund as Neymar’s replacement in 2017.
And Barcelona are open to selling Antoine Griezmann, too, despite the France international being set to lead their attack next term.
Players they don’t want to leave, however, are Pedri and Ansu Fati.
The pair are seen as the future of the club, with the former set to become their ‘franchise player’ in the wake of Messi’s exit.
And whether Barcelona are able to keep hold of the stars they want to the most remains to be seen.
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Messi, meanwhile, has broken his silence on his move to PSG after being unveiled by president Nasser al-Khelaifi on Tuesday night.
“I am excited to begin a new chapter of my career at Paris Saint-Germain,” he said.
“The club and its vision are in perfect harmony with my ambitions.
“I know how talented the squad and the coaching staff are here. I am determined to help build something special for the club and the fans, and I am looking forward to stepping out on to the pitch at the Parc des Princes.”
Al-Khelaifi himself reacted to the transfer deal by saying: “I am delighted that Lionel Messi has chosen to join Paris Saint-Germain and we are proud to welcome him and his family to Paris.
“He has made no secret of his desire to continue competing at the very highest level and winning trophies and naturally our ambition as a club is to do the same.
“The addition of Leo to our world-class squad continues a very strategic and successful transfer window for the club.
“Led by our outstanding coach and his staff, I look forward to the team making history together for our fans all around the world.”
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