Departing Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero ‘agrees to join Barcelona on two-year deal’

Sergio Aguero has agreed a two-year deal with Barcelona and will join the Catalan giants once his deal at Manchester City expires next month, according to reports.

The 32-year-old will leave the Etihad Stadium after Premier League champions City’s final game of the season in the Champions League final against Chelsea on May 29.

And The Guardian claim the Argentine has already agreed a two-year contract with LaLiga side Barcelona – his club of preference – and will receive a bonus if they win the Champions League during his time at the club.

Aguero has reportedly accepted a lower wage at Ronald Koeman’s side than was offered by others

The move to Spain could well see Aguero – who has reportedly accepted a lower salary at Camp Nou than was available elsewhere – link up with his compatriot Lionel Messi, although his contract at Barcelona is also up next month and he has yet to agree a new deal.

Aguero was said to be earning £12million a year at Manchester City, while his new deal at Barcelona will see him earn £4.4m (€5m).

The same outlet also adds Barcelona are closing in on the signing of Lyon star Memphis Depay, who would like Aguero join on a free transfer.

The 27-year-old former Manchester United star – who has been a target for his former Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman since the end of last season – confirmed earlier this week he would be leaving his current Ligue 1 employers.

His deal is also said to include a bonus if Barcelona win the Champions League during his stay

The move to the Catalan giants could see Aguero (right) join up with compatriot Lionel Messi (left)

‘It will be strange to think that I will play my final game for the club on Sunday against Nice,’ he told L’Equipe.

‘I am a bit sad that I won’t be able to do that in front of the fans, in an empty stadium without my friends, the fans and my family.

‘I’ve had some great times here. I have played in the Champions League, I have captained the team and I am a much better player now.

‘I want to go to one of the two or three best clubs in the top five leagues. I don’t know where I will end up yet, but that’s my plan.’

The Catalan side are also reportedly closing in on signing Lyon forward Memphis Depay

Former Atletico Madrid star Aguero meanwhile is in a fitness battle to play in at least one of City’s remaining two games, against Everton on Sunday before they lift the Premier League trophy and against Chelsea in Porto a week on Saturday.

But City boss Pep Guardiola paid tribute to Aguero – who is City’s all-time leading scorer with 258 goals – ahead of the final round of Premier League games, and insisted he could have scored more goals had fitness not let him down in previous campaigns. 

‘Being the legend that he is, coming to this country where it is so difficult to score goals and doing what he has done for so many years is incredible,’ Guardiola said.

‘The quality of the player shows in his numbers, his performance and titles – his performances when he was fit are incredible. I can’t imagine how many more he would have scored if he was fitter at some points in previous seasons.

Man City boss Pep Guardiola (right) paid tribute to Aguero, who is leaving after a decade there

‘When he’s fit and has continuity, in five metres he can – like a lion in the jungle – make a step to kill the opponents.

‘His biggest quality is a unique sense of goal and when he’s good in himself he can do whatever he wants.

‘I am sure the 10,000 fans in the stadium will want to pay tribute for all the fans around the world. He trained today and yesterday a little bit and as much as he can play he will play.’

Aguero – who will be 33 by the time next season kicks off – has also been plagued  by injuries this term, which have restricted him to 18 games and just four goals.