Barcelona become odds-on favourites to sign Sergio Aguero as Erling Haaland is tipped to succeed Man City’s record goalscorer

Barcelona have emerged as clear favourites to sign Sergio Aguero, who will leave Manchester City in the summer.

The Premier League giants announced that their record goalscorer will be leaving after ten years of stellar service.

Tributes have unsurprisingly come pouring in for the soon-to-be five-time Premier League winner, who scored one of the iconic Premier League goals with a stoppage-time strike against QPR in May 2012.

City fans will never forget him and Aguero’s heartfelt statement shows he will never forget his time in Manchester.

It read: “When a cycle comes to an end, many sensations arise. A huge sense of satisfaction and pride remains in me for having played with Manchester City for a whole 10 seasons – unusual for a professional player in this day and age.

“Ten seasons with major achievement, throughout which I was able to become the top historic goalscorer and forging an indestructible bond with all those who love this club – people who will always be in my heart.

“I was to join during the reconstruction era of 2011, and with the guidance of the owners and the contribution of many players, we earned a place among the greatest in the world.

“The task to maintain this well-deserved privileged position will remain on others.

“As for myself, I will continue to give it my utmost for the rest of the season to win more titles and bring more joy to the fans.

“Then, a new stage with new challenges will begin and I am fully ready to face them with the same passion and professionalism that I have always dedicated to continue competing at the highest level.”

But at 32 years old, Aguero still has a few years left in the game. So, what’s next for the Argentine striker?

The bookies say Barca are the frontrunners to sign Aguero, who will be available on a free transfer from July 1 – Ladbrokes offering odds of 11/10 for him to go to the Camp Nou.

But Aguero could be tempted by a move to America with any MLS club 5/1 to sign him, while a move to his homeland has been tipped at 13/2. In between those odds is a transfer to Inter Milan at 6/1, while fellow Italian side Napoli are 8/1 to sign him.

A return to Atletico Madrid, who City signed Aguero from in the summer of 2011, has been given 12/1 odds. Elsewhere, French champions Paris Saint-Germain are 16/1 to sign him, while Real Madrid are 20/1 outsiders.

For now, Gabriel Jesus will be the one to step into Aguero’s very big shoes but City have been linked with a number of top strikers, including Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane.

Former Man City player believes City should go after Borussia Dortmund hotshot Haaland, who he believes is the ‘perfect candidate’ to be Aguero’s replacement.

Sinclair told talkSPORT: “I would say it’s one of the two that are being talked about because they are so clinical – Mbappe and Haaland. I think both would suit City’s style of play.

“I actually think Haaland a little bit more. He gets involved in a minimal way in the build-up which is almost what City like, one or two touch plays, going through the lines.

“Haaland would be the perfect candidate for me. The connection with his dad [former Man City player Alfe-Inge Haaland], his style of football, he’d be my choice.”