Sergio Aguero should be allowed to leave Atletico Madrid this summer according to his strike-partner Diego Forlan.
On Thursday, Argentina international Aguero stated his desire to quit the Vicente Calderon as soon as this month’s Copa America is over and a number of clubs, including Real Madrid and Juventus, are on alert.
“I will not return to Atletico, it is clear,” he told ESPN. “I talked to the club, gave a statement, now my representatives are negotiating my departure from the club. I don’t know when the agreement will be, but I will know when the Copa America is finished.”
And now Forlan, who has reiterated his own desire to stay at Atletico, has urged the club not to stand in the way of Aguero’s departure.
“He said he wasn’t going to stay and his statement is there,” Forlan said. “It’s a shame because he is an important player; the two of us knew each other well and we formed a very good partnership, but I’m not going to analyse it and say if it is right or wrong – if he is really happy with the decision he made, then we have to accept it and wish him good luck.”
Forlan and Aguero will come face-to-face when Uruguay meet Argentina in the quarter-finals of the Copa America on Saturday, with both due to sort out their futures once the continental competition has been concluded.
“There are lots of rumours,” Forlan said. “I have two years left on my contract and I want to stay, as I have always said – I have always felt comfortable.”
Nevertheless, Forlan, who has attracted interest from Besiktas, Galatasaray and Tottenham, among other sides, admits he could be forced out of the club after falling out with former coach Quique Sanchez Flores last season.
“There are more people who want me out than there are people who want me to stay,” he said.
