Striker Sergio Aguero is close to agreeing a contract extension with Manchester City, manager Pep Guardiola revealed on Friday.
The Citizens are due to announce that the Argentina international has agreed a one-year extension to his current deal, which will commit him to the club until 2020.
Guardiola said he was “so, so happy” about the news.
“I don’t know if I am the right person to talk about that,” the City manager added. “I think he’s going to extend his contract, but it’s not official.”
Aguero, who joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2011, will miss Saturday’s Premier League home match against Bournemouth as he serves the second game of a three-match domestic suspension.
But he proved his quality yet again on Wednesday, scoring his second hat-trick of the season as Borussia Moenchengladbach were beaten 4-0 in the Champions League at the Etihad Stadium.
It took his tally for the season to nine goals in just five games.
“He’s a good player, no?” Guardiola said. “These are players you want to stay because they have the passion to play at the club. We cannot disguise his quality. If he stays, I will be so, so happy.”
Guardiola effectively ruled playmaker, David Silva out of today’s match with a knock.
He is considering whether Ilkay Gundogan can play two games in a week so soon after returning from a serious knee injury.
Gundogan, signed from Borussia Dortmund for £20 million during the close season, made a belated City debut on Wednesday with Silva absent.
“I think tomorrow he (Silva) will not be able to play,” Guardiola said.
“I haven’t seen the doctor and David. I don’t think it’s a big problem, but it happened two days ago so I don’t think he will be able (to play).
“I don’t know if Ilkay can play again so quickly. I’ve been thinking about it since two days ago. He played well, but we cannot forget that he comes (back) from a long-term injury.
“We will see tomorrow (Saturday). Today we are going to see the doctor and we will decide.”
Guardiola has won all seven of his competitive matches since his appointment as City manager and his team are currently leading the Premier League.
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