8 Potential Replacements for Sergio Aguero at Manchester City

Manchester City fans are counting the days until they get to see star striker Sergio Aguero, currently out with an injury, in action again.

The fine form of Alvaro Negredo and Edin Dzeko has ensured the Argentine ace hasn't been missed too much. However, on his day, there are few finer forwards in the world than the former Atletico Madrid man, who is pencilled in for a comeback this month.

So what would happen if Aguero was tempted away from the Etihad Stadium?

The Daily Mail suggests Barcelona are interested in the 25-year-old, while the Daily Mirror says the same of Real Madrid.

When clubs of that calibre are chasing you, you are sure to be interested.

If Aguero were to leave, who could the Citizens target to replace him? The vast wealth available to the club means pretty much every forward in the world is within reach.

Here are eight world stars who could step into Aguero's shoes.

Alexis Sanchez has worked hard to gain acceptance at Barcelona following some turbulent times, but would he jump at the chance to become the main man at City?

The Chilean scored a hat-trick in Barca's 4-0 win over Elche on Sunday, chipped home a fine finish in the 2-1 win over Real Madrid this season and scored twice at Wembley as Chile beat England in a friendly.

He's certainly a player in fine form, and whilst he surely won't be in any hurry to leave Barca at present, money could eventually talk. 

A fellow Argentine, Gonzalo Higuain could well be the man to follow in Aguero's footsteps in the Premier League.

His move from Real Madrid to Napoli in the summer has ensured that he's been able to showcase his fantastic finishing ability on a regular basis, but Rafael Benitez's side were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages and are 10 points off the top spot in Serie A.

Would a move to City give him more opportunities to win trophies? 

Seemingly against the odds, Luis Suarez has signed a new contract at Liverpool. However, if the Reds don't qualify for the Champions League, he may still move away.

The Uruguayan has undoubtedly been the standout player in the Premier League this season, and with Liverpool so reluctant to let him go, it would take an astronomical bid to tempt the Reds into selling him.

City are in a position to make such bids, though, and snapping up Suarez would be a stunning statement of intent. 

Brazilian-born forward Diego Costa has been in absolutely stunning form this season, scoring 23 goals in just 21 appearances in all competitions.

As Atletico Madrid have shown in the past with the likes of Fernando Torres and Aguero, there always seems to come a time when a player outgrows their club and moves on.

This summer, that could be Costa. Having switched allegiances to be eligible for Spain at the World Cup, a good showing there will only increase the interest around this terrific forward.

He's had his flirtations with City before, and with discussions over Wayne Rooney's Manchester United contract dragging on with little sign of resolution, could the forward be tempted to move across the city?

Taking him from Old Trafford would be a huge statement of intent by the Citizens—even bigger than when they prised Carlos Tevez away.

Whilst Chelsea and perhaps even Arsenal are sure to register an interest should Rooney become available, Manuel Pellegrini's men would be able to offer a lucrative financial deal.

If they could pull this one off, it would be talked about for years. 

The still somewhat surprising move to Monaco hasn't dulled Radamel Falcao's goalscoring senses, and he's hit nine goals in 15 games in Ligue 1 so far.

There is still a belief that the 27-year-old belongs in one of European football's top leagues, though.

Were City to give him a home in England, he would certainly liven up the Premier League and prove a more than adequate replacement for Aguero.

Falcao is mobile, deadly in front of goal and possesses a great work ethic. He would certainly be a fan favourite were he to join City. 

Could it be done?

Having seen his status as the world's most expensive player ended by his club's signing of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo would surely command a fee in excess of the £80 million he cost Real Madrid were he to move on again.

The player would undoubtedly express a commitment to former club Manchester United. He would claim he could never pull on a City shirt. However, we've all seen such pronouncements eventually look rather hollow in the past.

If the deal was good enough for the Portuguese superstar and his current club, City would certainly explore it.

Oh, go on then. Why not?

City's owners would have craved the signing of a player such as Lionel Messi from the moment they set foot in the Etihad Stadium, and the scope for what would certainly be the most remarkable deal in football history is definitely there.

Messi, a great friend of Aguero, might be more inclined to make the move to the Premier League were he to be partnered with his compatriot in the City side rather than replacing him. In any case, if there is even a chance that he might consider a switch to Manchester, the Blues have to at least explore it.