Manchester City pair Fernandinho and Sergio Agüero will leave this summer in the eyes of their team-mates, according to a new report.
Both title-winning veterans are out of contract at the end of the season and the Athletic report that City’s squad believe Agüero and Fernandinho will be on the move.
Fernandinho has reportedly received several offers should he leave City and Agüero is also understandably in demand.
A return to Atlético Paranaense in his homeland has been mooted for Fernandinho, who will want to see out his final years in familiar surroundings.
The Premier League leaders have relied on Fernandinho like never before since Vincent Kompany left, and might well want to retain his leadership qualities within the squad.
Phil Foden has shed light into the 35-year-old’s importance to the squad behind the scenes.
“He is a massive figure and so important for us this year. Sometimes if the manager does not see if a player is down, Fernandinho will go and see if they’re Okay. He’s the perfect captain on and off the pitch.”
“He’s just a great person, knows everyone well. If the manager misses something, that a player’s upset, he’ll see that and come and see how they’re doing. That’s why he’s the captain – a great player, a great person.”
The Brazil international is staying off speculation for now as City look to concentrate on an unprecedented quadruple this season.
‘I’ve been focused on Man City,’ Fernandinho told TNT Sports last month. ‘I know how much my team-mates need me.
‘I made a decision to only decide my future when the season is over. I already had an offer, not to be part of Pep’s staff, but to be an employee of the club.
‘I was flattered, after eight years at Man City and the respect I have gained here, but it is a decision that I put aside.’
Fernandinho has played 26 games in all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s men this season, scoring once and assisting two in the domestic cups.
The case for Kun
Agüero’s City career continuously threatens to fizzle out, having played significantly fewer minutes due to injuries, and Covid-19 this season, he is yet to receive clarity on his future with only two months left in the season.
However, clubs such as Barcelona, Juventus, PSG and Inter Milan continue to monitor the 32-year-old’s situation.
The Argentine has been an outstanding servant for the Cityzens in the past decade, scoring 257 goals in 384 games since joining from Atlético Madrid. His most famous strike being the title-winner against QPR in the dying moments of the 2011/12 Premier League season.
Guardiola already revealed he would not think about making decisions on new contracts yet as he does not want to become ‘distracted’ in City’s ongoing hunt for four trophies.
City are poised to go all the way in all competitions having reached the Carabao Cup final, 14 points clear of the Premier League, in the FA Cup semi-finals, and quarter-finals of the much-coveted Champions League.
