Lionel Messi has reportedly told Barcelona to go all out to sign soon-to-be free agent Sergio Aguero in the upcoming transfer window.
The Argentine's glittering 10-year stint at the Etihad Stadium will come to an end this summer, as he has confirmed that he will be leaving Man City when his contract expires at the end of June.
An intense battle for his signature will now commence, despite his age and recent injury problems, with Barcelona rumoured to be one of the sides hoping to strike a deal alongside Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
According to Football Insider, La Blaugrana are now leading the race for his signature, and Messi himself has urged the powers-that-be to bring Aguero to Camp Nou for the 2021-22 season.
The report adds that Messi would likely sway towards signing a new contract at the club if his compatriot does arrive, which would all but end Man City's hopes of replacing Aguero with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Aguero will depart Man City as their all-time leading goalscorer with 257 goals in 384 appearances so far, but he has only managed one Premier League strike during an injury-hit 2020-21 campaign.
Ben Knapton
