Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 7y

Manchester City's Sergio Aguero: I won't be joining Real Madrid

Sergio Aguero has dismissed rumours of a possible move to Real Madrid, insisting he has never been happier at Manchester City.

The striker, who scored his 150th goal for the club in the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough on Saturday, said he is improving as a player since the arrival of new City boss Pep Guardiola in the summer.

Aguero was dropped for games against Everton and Barcelona in October, prompting suggestions that his long-term future at the Etihad could be in doubt. 

But the 28-year-old says the former Barca and Bayern Munich boss helped him after he lost confidence when he missed a crucial penalty in Argentina's defeat to Paraguay last month.

"A while back there was a Real Madrid rumour but the truth is that I am very happy at City, especially with the arrival of Pep," he told ESPN Radio in Argentina. "He is helping me to grow as a player and we talk a lot.

"I am very happy. When the coach is helping you it calms you down and give you more confidence.

"I have no idea what the rumours are. But I am happy at City and I hope to finish out my contract there and then return to Independiente.

"I have never had any issues with Pep. We spoke a lot. But he has never had a problem with me nor I with him.

"He always gives me advice. I am happy because he wants to help me be a better football player and that makes me feel good."

Guardiola dismissed suggestions of a rift with Aguero in October, saying he wanted him to stay and describing him as a "special player". [link

It was a welcome boost for the forward from a manager who has already shown his ruthless side by allowing the likes of Joe Hart, Samir Nasri and Eliaquim Mangala to leave the club.

Yaya Toure was also told he couldn't play after comments from his agent, Dimitri Seluk, but Aguero hopes his situation can be sorted out after Toure's apology to Guardiola last week.

"The decision was that of the coach and right now he has other midfielders," Aguero said. "We have to comply with what the coach asks us to do.

"He trains with us and I hope that an agreement is reached for the good of the player.

"For us, Yaya has been fundamental in the past few years. But with the new system under Pep we are trying to improve and he knows which players he needs."

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