Sergio Aguero will enjoy playing alongside 'best player of all time' Lionel Messi, says Pep Guardiola

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes that Sergio Aguero is close to signing for Barcelona, with his contract at the English club expiring this summer. Aguero will leave Etihad Stadium having scored 260 goals in 389 games for the club. Guardiola revealed his thoughts on the Argentine attacker’s next destination in an interaction with BBC Match of the Day, terming it as a secret being revealed out in the open.

“Maybe I reveal a secret. Maybe he is close to agreeing a deal for the club of my heart – for Barcelona. He is going to be playing alongside the best player of all time, Messi,” said the Manchester City manager in an interaction with BBC’s Match of the Day.

“I’m pretty sure he is going to enjoy. And maybe Barcelona are stronger and stronger with him on the pitch,” added Guardiola.

Aguero marked his final appearance at Etihad Stadium with two goals. The new Premier League champions ended their domestic campaign with a thumping 5-0 win over Everton, with 10,000 supporters in the stands.

The Argentine calls time on his City career as the competition’s highest-scoring non-English player with 184 goals in 275 games. The two strikes were prime examples of Aguero’s finishing ability, cleverness in creating space in the box for a cheeky trivela opener before clinically dispatching a bullet header late on.

“He has a gift from God”

Guardiola was full of praise for the forward’s incredible scoring talent as well as the number 10’s infectious personality and off-field demeanour.

“He showed in the last decade, it’s great, it’s fantastic. He has this gift that his mum and dad gave him, or God, and he will always have it. He’s a funny and humble guy, a good guy, he made an incredible two goals. Sergio helped alongside us to bring this club to the level we have now, he’s a special person. It was the perfect end and a fairytale moment,” said the Manchester City manager as quoted by the official website.

Guardiola stated that it was the striker’s choice to come off the bench rather than to start the game.

“We spoke yesterday how he felt, and if he wanted to play in the beginning. He decided maybe the last 30 minutes, but he didn’t tell me he only needed 30 minutes to score two goals! It’s perfect, so good for him,” he added.