Audition: Aguero faces Paris Saint-Germain in
London at the Emirates Cup
Chelsea
tested Sergio Aguero's desire to see out the season with
Atletico Madrid by reportedly offering £53million for the Argentina
star.
The La Liga strugglers
apparently rejected the offer of an initial £44m plus add-ons after
Aguero made it clear he would not court a move until the
summer.
Manchester
City have also made enquiries over the last few days,
according to Madrid newspaper AS, after Aguero concluded his
long-term future was away from the Vicente Calderon stadium.
But the striker feels such a debt to the club he joined
as a 17-year-old that he is reluctant to leave Atletico in their
current state: fourth from bottom in La Liga with just two wins
from 12 games and out of the Champions League.
Atletico's financial problems mean they will eventually have to
cash in on a player who has a buy-out clause of about £55m.
Inter Milan have also shown interest, but may struggle to meet
the fee, though Argentina boss Diego Maradona would be keen to see
Aguero join the Italian champions.
Maradona, the grandfather of Aguero's son Benjamin,
prefers Italian football to the Barclays Premier League.
New Year exit: Didier Drogba is set to play at the
Africa Cup of Nations
Chelsea are still seen as favourites to sign him but are
working under the threat of a FIFA transfer ban.
The Blues are clear to do business in January while an appeal to
the Court of Arbitration for Sport is heard and may come to an
agreement with Atletico that would see Aguero transferred this
winter, only to be loaned back to the Spaniards for the rest of the
season.
However, Stamford Bridge boss Carlo Ancelotti would like the
player sooner rather than later because Didier Drogba and Salomon
Kalou are expected to be play for their countries in the Africa Cup
of Nations next month.
After scoring two and making two in Atleti's 4-0 victory over
Espanyol at the weekend, Aguero admitted this could be his last
season in Spain.
'I've always told the club that from now until June I'll stay
here,' he said, 'but if the club have to sell me, I must go.'