Argentina striker Sergio Aguero turned his back on Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea yesterday and extended his contract with Atletico Madrid until 2014.
Atletico’s majority-shareholder Miguel Angel Gil said that offers from Spurs for Aguero and strike-partner Diego Forlan, and one from Chelsea for Aguero had been turned down.
The 22-year-old Aguero, who joined Atletico from Independiente in 2006, agreed a two-year extension to his deal.
“The club have always treated me well and for this reason I wanted to renew,” Aguero told a news conference at the Vicente Calderon Stadium.
“I’m settled and happy to continue here, and I hope to stay for many years,” he said.
The agreement saw the the Argentine’s buy-out clause reduced from 60 million euros (US$82 million) to 45 million euros, which has increased media speculation of a possible exit in the near future.
“The day I want to leave it will be my decision,” Aguero said. “If in June we decide, the club and I, that a change is best it will be a decision taken by everyone.”
Europa League champions Atletico are out of Europe and the King’s Cup and 10 points adrift of the Champions League qualification places in La Liga after a 2-0 home reverse against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
Meanwhile, reports yesterday said Liverpool striker Fernando Torres had left the club’s training ground in a helicopter, adding to speculation that the Spaniard could be on his way to Premier League rivals Chelsea.
British newspapers said Chelsea were prepared to pay ￡50 million (US$79.5 million) for the striker, but Liverpool denied a deal was in the works.
Liverpool expected to complete the signing of Uruguay forward Luis Suarez from Ajax yesterday and were linked with Newcastle’s Andy Carroll and Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez.
“We’ve not brought anyone in as a replacement for anyone else,” Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said. “Movement is part and parcel of football, but the most important people at Liverpool Football Club are the ones who want to be here.”
Liverpool turned down a request by Torres to leave the team he joined for a club-record ￡20.3 million from Atletico Madrid in 2007.
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