Manchester City Transfer News: Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero Rumours Addressed

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that captain Vincent Kompany and striker Sergio Aguero remain in his long-term plans despite recent reports suggesting the duo could leave the club.

Reports emerged that Kompany and Aguero were unlikely to remain at the Sky Blues after they were left out of the starting XI that faced Barcelona on Wednesday—the Belgian was omitted from the squad completely—per David McDonnell in the Mirror.

City were downed 4-0 at the Camp Nou in the UEFA Champions League, with Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones starting in central defence and 19-year-old Pablo Maffeo their back-up on the bench, while Aguero was not introduced until the game was lost.

Ahead of City's Premier League clash with Southampton on Sunday, Guardiola strongly denied the rumours, per Goal's Sam Lee:

"

Out of my plans? I think I took a decision about my plans, and my plans are that Sergio and Vincent Kompany are part of the future of Manchester City.

Kompany was not fit. Aguero [omission] was a tactical decision. [...]

I spoke to Sergio about that, he was so understanding. He helped us a lot in the last minutes. That was the reason why. 

When Sergio decides to leave City it will be his decision. Next time you write this, that he is not in my plans, you can call me or Simon [City's press officer]—you may not have my number but you can call Simon—and we can explain what is the truth.

I had never been with Vincent in the past. What I saw when he is fit, guys... he's a real central defender. I like him. But we tried to take care of him. He went to the doctors in Barcelona and said I'm not able to play. The people say no because of Pep, Vincent and Sergio, but you can use the press conference to ask me the truth.

"

The Daily Mail's Chris Wheeler reported that Kompany was fully fit for the Barca game, hence his exclusion from the squad was an indication he could be the next high-profile departure of Guardiola's regime. 

Wheeler added that City were "in two minds" about retaining the 30-year-old in the summer before he picked up yet another injury in his only start of the season against Swansea City in the EFL Cup.

Season	Appearances (as a sub)	Minutes	Goals	Assists	League Position
2016-17	0(1)	1	-	-	Currently 1st
2015-16	13(1)	1,179	2	-	4th
2014-15	23(2)	2,034	-	-	2nd
2013-14	28	2,365	4	1	1st
2012-13	26	2,239	1	-	2nd
2011-12	31	2,774	3	1	1st

His exclusion from the squad for the Barca game was assessed by playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, per Wheeler: "That’s Pep’s choice. He must have had his reasons."

Kompany has been a huge asset for City since moving to the Etihad Stadium from Hamburg in 2008. He was made captain in 2011 and led the Sky Blues to the Premier League title in 2012 and 2014.

However, he has become less influential over the past few seasons as he has been plagued by injuries.

His appearance against Swansea last month was a return to action following a four-month absence due to a thigh injury, and he promptly picked up another knock.

In 2015-16, Kompany was able only to make 13 Premier League starts, and City's defence under then-manager Manuel Pellegrini looked shaky as a result, per WhoScored.com.

Under Guardiola, though, City now have a reliable centre-back pairing of Otamendi and Stones, while Aleksandar Kolarov has deputised well so far this season.

His leadership qualities aside, City have come to miss Kompany a lot less of late, and it would not be a huge blow were he to leave in the summer.

However, Guardiola has now made it clear the Belgian remains in his plans, and it seems likely he is set to stay at the Etihad Stadium for some time yet, along with Aguero.