The Brazilian scored twice this past weekend against Swansea and was one of the goalscorers in City’s 4-0 rout over West Ham last week.
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is reportedly preparing a big-money move for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang if Sergio Aguero leaves.
Aguero has lost his starting place at the Etihad to Brazil youngster Gabriel Jesus for the last two Premier League matches and has had to look on as the £27 million teenager has stolen the limelight.
“I have three months to do my best and try to help the team and we’ll see what happens with my future. He’s 19 years old, so we are so happy, happy with what the club have done and to have him here”.
And Zabaleta, who has played with him for club and country for the past six years, says he is used to fighting for his place in squads full of quality. To make matters worse, Gabriel Jesus’ quick acclimatisation in England has now seen Aguero being relegated to the bench.
The 28-year-old still has three years left on his current deal after signing an extension earlier in the season.
Asked about Aguero’s reaction to not starting, Guardiola added: “Perfect, it was ideal”.
He told French outlet RMC Sport: “If I want to go to the next level, I need to leave in summer”.
“In the second half they played more football and tried to attack, but after they scored they played like they did in the first half”.
“I’ve played with Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen as teenagers and you knew straight away they had special talents”. You have one of the best strikers in the world at your disposal to start or come off the bench. Today I made a decision to play with Gabriel.
The 19-year-old Brazilian striker, who moved to City in January following a £27 million deal with Palmeiras, scored a 92nd minute victor after he opened the scoring in the 11th minute.
City have no inclination whatsoever to sell a player who is 23 goals short of their all-time scoring record, and believe that healthy competition between the two South American forwards will benefit them both.
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He is hungry, he has desire and he shows so many good things.
