Man City’s amazing five-man striker transfer shortlist includes Lionel Messi and Haaland as they eye Aguero replacement
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MANCHESTER CITY are reportedly set to go into the summer transfer market for a new striker.
Sergio Aguero, 32, will be out of contract in July and is apparently unlikely to get a new deal following an injury-plagued 12 months.
Barcelona are now said to be leading the charge for the Argentina international, who has scored 256 goals in 379 games for City.
Should Aguero leave this summer, after ten years, he will be sure to try to win a fifth Premier League title after City's 4-1 victory against Liverpool moved them five points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
Here, SunSport looks at five potential options to replace Aguero in a new-look attack for Pep Guardiola.
LIONEL MESSI (33, BARCELONA)
City were desperate to sign Messi last summer following claims of a free transfer clause in his contract.
Despite staying put, the legendary forward remains eager to leave Barcelona when his deal expires.
Messi has scored 651 goals in 757 games for the Catalans, with his best performances coming during Guardiola’s Nou Camp era.
But reports claim Paris Saint-Germain are also keen and have former teammate Neymar turning Messi’s head towards the French capital.
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ERLING HAALAND (20, BORUSSIA DORTMUND)
One of the continent’s best young talents, Haaland is highly sought after by a number of elite clubs.
His goal-scoring record has been nothing short of sensational, scoring 28 times in 22 games for RB Salzburg before netting 38 goals in 40 appearances at Dortmund.
Haaland will be available for just £68million in June 2022 when a release clause becomes active in his contract.
But reports claim City are willing to spend a club-record £100m this summer to win the race, with a contract worth £400,000-a-week also on the table.
ROMELU LUKAKU (27, INTER MILAN)
Despite spending two years with fierce rivals United, Lukaku has reportedly emerged as a leading contender for City’s attack next term.
The Belgian has rediscovered his best form under Antonio Conte, shedding weight to become an intense pressing striker at the San Siro.
Lukaku’s been racking up the goals too, with 54 strikes in 78 games.
He could be eager for another chance to prove himself in England, but Lukaku could cost a pretty penny after Inter shelled out a record £73m for him in 2019.
LAUTARO MARTINEZ (23, INTER MILAN)
Not as prolific as strike partner Lukaku but equally as effective.
Martinez is the link man at Inter, with great technique, speed and work rate in the final third.
Despite scoring only 42 goals in 114 games, he could actually be a better fit for Guardiola’s City than Lukaku.
But Martinez is unlikely to be sold for less than his £98m release clause, and Inter are ready to quadruple his wages to keep City at bay.
DANNY INGS (28, SOUTHAMPTON)
Englishman hasn’t looked back since being let go by Liverpool in 2018, recovering from his injury woes to become one of the Prem’s top forwards.
Ings struck 22 league goals last term and has seven in just 13 games this season under Ralph Hasenhuttl.
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The ex-Burnley man would provide City with another home-grown talent for their Champions League squad and has also shown he is capable of playing in a variety of tactical styles.
But Guardiola would need to fight off competition from old foe Jose Mourinho, with the Spurs boss eager to sign Ings this summer as cover for Harry Kane.