In Focus: Who will be the next striker to give City a power Serg?

After 10 seasons and a record-breaking 257 goals, it is looking increasingly unlikely Sergio Aguero will be at Manchester City next term.

The Argentine is City's all-time leading scorer but injury has restricted him to just eight Premier League appearances this season — and he did not open his league account until last weekend’s 3-0 win at Fulham.

According to reports, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Chelsea are keen on Aguero, 32, who is out of contract at the Etihad Stadium this summer. 

As Pep Guardiola’s men get set to face Everton in the FA Cup quarter-finals tonight, we run the rule over five players who could spearhead City’s attack in 2021-22.

Romelu Lukaku - Inter Milan

Romelu Lukaku, 27, has unfinished business in Manchester and Guardiola is reportedly keen on bringing Inter’s talisman back to the city. 

The Belgian struggled during his final season with Manchester United in 2018-19 and was sold to the Nerazzurri for £74million.

Eighty-five games and 59 goals later, that looks to have been a mistake.

Inter would try to resist any offer for Lukaku but in challenging economic times, City's vast resources could mean there is a deal to be done.

Erling Haaland - Borussia Dortmund

City are interested in signing Erling Haaland this summer but they will have to join the queue of clubs waiting to land Borussia Dortmund’s No9. 

The prodigious Norwegian, 20, has been linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea in recent weeks. 

Yet City will still fancy their chances of securing Haaland’s signature — after all, his father Alf-Inge Haaland played for the club from 2000 until 2003. 

There is a clause in Haaland’s contract allowing him to leave Dortmund for just £65m next year but Europe’s elite are unlikely to wait before swooping for Dortmund's 31-goal top scorer. 

Lionel Messi - Barcelona

Is Lionel Messi a realistic target for Manchester City or simply a pipe dream? 

The 33-year-old Argentina legend is a free agent this summer but his chances of staying in Catalonia have been boosted by Joan Laporta’s victory in Barcelona’s presidential elections.

Speaking after being sworn in, Laporta said: "I take the opportunity to say again that I will try to convince Leo to stay with us. 

"That is a must-do task, I will do all I can. He knows it."

Barca’s woeful financial situation means an agreement with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner might not be possible.

And City will be among those waiting in the wings, hoping his relationship with Guardiola clinches the deal.

Harry Kane - Tottenham 

It will reportedly cost Manchester City £150m to prise England frontman Harry Kane away from Tottenham this summer. 

But with a transfer war chest believed to total around £200m, they could choose to blow their budget on a ready-made Premier League performer in Kane. 

At 27, the England star perhaps lacks the longevity that would come from signing a hot prospect such as Haaland. 

But with 159 goals in 233 Premier League games, he has a sure-fire way of ensuring Guardiola’s outfit continue their domestic dominance for many seasons to come.

Gabriel Jesus - Manchester City

Gabriel Jesus has been Aguero’s deputy at City, scoring more than 20 goals in all competitions in each of the last two seasons.

But doubts remain over the Brazilian and Guardiola has preferred Bernardo Silva, Ferran Torres, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling as false nines at times. 

However, the City coach recently leapt to Jesus’ defence. He said: "He always thinks for the team and not himself. 

"If he had more of an ego he would have scored many more goals."

Even without Aguero being available on a regular basis, City have already broken the 100-goal barrier for the season.

And with 23-year-old Jesus around, the temptation for Guardiola might be to stick rather than twist.