SERGIO AGUERO and Luis Suarez in combination.
It’s a frightening prospect for any defence and, if reports are to be believed, the South American duo could very well be leading Manchester City’s attack next season. That’s certainly the wish of incoming City boss Pep Guardiola who has put Barcelona’s Suarez at the top of his wish-list and with the financial resources available at the Etihad, money would not appear to be an issue.
The Barca striker signed at the Nou Camp in 2014 from Liverpool for £62 million after Guardiola had departed two years earlier to take a sabbatical before taking over at Bayern Munich, but City’s new man in charge is a big fan of the 29-year-old’s style and ability (well really, who isn’t?), despite his controversy-filled career, and the forward would work as a starting point to rebuild a City team to fit the manager’s mould.
Having helped Barcelona achieve a stunning treble last season, the Spanish giants would be reluctant to see a man who has netted 36 times in 48 outings depart.
The key factor in the move is who Suarez is represented by – his agent is none other than Guardiola’s brother Pere which makes things rather interesting.
A transfer is reportedly encouraged as a possibility, and due to Suarez turning 30 next term, a fee in the region of £40m could reportedly tempt Barcelona to do business. This, despite the fact Suarez has made his intentions clear that he would only rejoin Liverpool if he were to make a surprise comeback to England, having spent two-and-a-half years at Anfield.
It’s no secret former Reds skipper and club legend Steven Gerrard played a huge part in Suarez eventually ‘agreeing’ to stay an extra year on Merseyside after initially demanding an exit. But Stevie G has of course moved on since and it’s amazing what an extra few pounds on a contract can do.
But could Aguero and Suarez work together – and indeed prosper – in the same side? In short, the answer is absolutely. Suarez has proved himself in England already with 69 goals in 110 Liverpool appearances, along with numerous assists, and has slotted in alongside two of the biggest names in world football in Lionel Messi and Neymar at Barca. The Uruguayan’s versatility means he can play through the middle, in a wider role or just behind Aguero.
If Manchester City are to achieve their goal of world domination under Guardiola they can’t rely simply on Aguero who has had his fair share of injuries over the years. Wilfried Bony has found it tough going at City and, while Kelechi Iheanacho has shown this season he’s a player for the future, Suarez is on a different level and is tailor-made for the way City will play under Guardiola.
