Manchester City Willing To Sell Aguero Should Barcelona Meet £57.5m Valuation

Barcelona have reportedly earmarked Sergio Aguero as one of their main summer targets, with reports in Spain claiming that Manchester City will consider parting with the Argentinian star should the Catalans match their £57.5m valuation.

Catalan Television Channel TV3 claimed earlier this week that Leo Messi has asked Barcelona to bolster the squad with Aguero before committing his future to the club with a new contract.

And now Sport claim that even though City are going to make every effort to keep the striker at the Etihad Stadium, they would consider a £57.5m summer sale.

The Argentine signed a new contract with City only last year, committing his future to the Etihad until 2017, but his close relationship with Messi may pave the way to Barcelona.

The pair won the Under-20 World Cup in 2005 and the Gold Medal in the 2008 Olympic Games while this summer they are set to lead Argentina in the World Cup.

Aguero joined Manchester City in summer 2011 after they paid around £38m to Atletico Madrid to secure his services, meaning that a potential £57.5m move to the Camp Nou in the summer will see the Premier League giants secure a profit of almost £20m after three years' sterling service.

Nevertheless, Sport claims that City sporting director Txiki Begiristain considers Aguero a crucial asset in Manuel Pellegrini's squad and would rather keep him as he doesn't want to bolster a potential Champions League rival.

Aguero wrote his name into the Blues' history books by scoring the winning goal against Queens Park Rangers that sealed the 2011- 2012 Premier League title while this season he has scored 17 goals in just 19 Premier League starting appearances – even though he has struggled with a number of minor injuries.