• Premier League

Atletico determined to keep Chelsea target Aguero

ESPNsoccernet staff
May 24, 2011
Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero could both leave Atletico Madrid © Getty Images
Enlarge

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo insists Sergio Aguero is not for sale despite the want-away striker publicly stating is desire to leave the Spanish club.

Aguero, who has been one of Atletico's star performers since moving to the Vicente Calderon from Independiente in 2006, posted a statement on his website saying he felt he needed a move to continue his development.

However, in January the Argentina international signed a new contract to keep him tied to Atletico until summer 2014 and the club's president insists his star asset is going nowhere.

Cerezo told Radio Marca: "We are not going to change our thinking. We will not sell or trade for Aguero. If anyone wants to know something new, ask him directly.

"There is no getting around it. El Kun has a signed contract. He has shown his desire to leave, but we say the same thing. We do not want to sell. We respect his decision, but he also has to respect ours. He has a commitment to us.

"In his recent statements I heard him say he had no intention of leaving. I do not know how we will address this issue, but this is not the end of the world.''

Aguero, who is believed to have a €45 million buyout clause in his contract and reportedly signed the deal on the understanding that he could leave for a big fee in the summer, has been linked with a move to city rivals Real Madrid as well as a switch to Serie A.

Cerezo added: "We do not know where he wants to go, but we can say that there has never been an official contact with another club.''

Aguero released a statement on Monday night that revealed he had asked the club to consider offers. "I said long ago that when I wanted to go, I would say publicly. And the time has come," it read.

"So I keep my word and here I am. I find it hard to leave Atletico. It hurts and saddens me," Aguero said on his official website. "I've thought long and hard and I am convinced that I must be true to myself.''

Aguero has scored over 100 goals for Atletico and once claimed he would never play for a team starting with the letter 'R', in reference to Racing and Real Madrid, the two bitter rivals of the clubs he has played for so far in his career.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close