Sergio Aguero’s career in Manchester is remembered as one of the most glittering chapters in Premier League history, yet the former striker has disclosed that his story in sky blue almost ended midway through.
The Argentine, whose goals came to symbolise City’s rise to dominance, has admitted he came close to swapping the Etihad for another English heavyweight in a move that would have shaken the league.
Aguero arrived in England in the summer of 2011, joining from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth £35m. At the time City were ambitious challengers attempting to break the long-established order, and the signing of the explosive forward signalled their intent.
Few, however, could have predicted how quickly he would become the face of a new era.
Sergio Aguero’s career, particularly his introduction to English football was unforgettable. Thrown on just before the hour mark against Swansea City, the new recruit produced a dazzling cameo, scoring twice and setting up another goal in a 4-0 victory.
The performance immediately announced him as a talent capable of transforming matches on his own and hinted at the decisive moments that would follow.
Over the next 10 seasons Aguero developed into the most reliable finisher the league had seen in a generation.
He registered 184 Premier League goals in only 275 appearances, a strike rate that placed him among the competition’s all-time greats.
In all competitions he found the net 260 times in 390 outings, numbers that ensured his name would be woven permanently into the club’s identity.
Trophies soon followed. Although the Champions League eluded City during his stay, domestic success became routine.
The forward collected five league titles, lifted the FA Cup once and helped secure six League Cups, often delivering the decisive contribution in finals and title run-ins.
Supporters still recall his last-gasp winner against QPR in 2012 as the moment the balance of power in English football shifted.
Sergio Aguero’s career at Manchester City, ended in 2021, he moved to Barcelona hoping for one final challenge. Fate intervened in cruel fashion as he was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia, forcing an early retirement only months into his time in Spain.
The abrupt conclusion added a poignant note to a career otherwise filled with celebration.
The Chelsea move that never was
Reflecting on the pivotal summer of 2017, the former forward explained how close he came to leaving the Etihad.
Chelsea, fresh from winning the title under Antonio Conte, were searching for a marquee striker after deciding to part ways with Diego Costa. Aguero, then at the peak of his powers, was identified as the ideal replacement.
“In 2017, I was on the verge of going to Chelsea and then Manchester City cancelled the deal [at] the last minute,” Aguero told La Agusneta.
“Conte wanted me with [Eden] Hazard. Diego Costa was leaving.’
The comments shed light on a transfer saga that, until now, had remained largely behind closed doors.
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Had the switch materialised, the balance of the Premier League might have altered significantly. Chelsea would have paired Aguero with Hazard, one of the division’s most creative talents, while City would have lost their most proven goalscorer to a competitor.
Instead the deal collapsed and the striker stayed in Manchester, a decision that quickly proved beneficial for the Sky Blues.
Sergio Aguero’s career in England continued to dominate media, he responded to the transfer saga with a superb 2017-18 campaign, striking 30 goals as Guardiola’s side stormed to the title with a record points total.
He continued to play a leading role for three further seasons, adding more silverware and unforgettable moments to his legacy.
Chelsea eventually turned elsewhere, signing Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid for £58m.
The Spaniard struggled to match expectations and departed after an inconsistent spell, a reminder of how different the story might have been had Aguero arrived at Stamford Bridge.
