Manchester City Transfer News: Real Madrid Want Sergio Aguero, Top Rumours

Real Madrid reportedly want to sign Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero, provided the Spanish club can get a FIFA-imposed transfer ban lifted. Aguero isn't the only marquee striker in Real's sights, though, with Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also said to be a target.

The Daily Mirror's John Cross named Aguero as one name on a shortlist of strikers Los Blancos are considering as they appeal FIFA's sanctions.

However, the Argentinian marksman may not be the top target for the 11-time European Cup winners, per Cross: "Real, who handed their Welsh forward Gareth Bale a huge new contract earlier this week, are desperate to improve their striking options, and Aubameyang is likely to be first choice if they strengthen up front."

Aubameyang is a striker City have reportedly courted in the past. In fact, a move for the Gabon star was only shelved in the summer when Dortmund refused to lower their £65 million price tag, according to James Robson of the Manchester Evening News.

Back in October, Aubameyang even confirmed there had been talks with City, during an interview with Onze Mondial (h/t James Walker-Roberts of Sky Sports).

However, things have changed since then, and Aubameyang may now represent an easier get for both Los Merengues and the Citizens. The free-scoring striker was recently dropped by Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel for what club CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke termed "internal reasons," per Mark Ashenden of Sky Sports.

Aubameyang missed Dortmund's recent 1-0 win over Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League. It was a game the rejected attacker left early amid rumours of unrest between him and Tuchel concerning the manager's rotation policies, according to the Sun's Jamie Gordon.

Aguero knows a thing or two about being at odds with his manager over rotation. He was ditched by City chief Pep Guardiola for the 4-0 defeat by Barcelona in October.

The decision led to suggestions Guardiola doesn't rate Aguero as highly as others. But the Spaniard was quick to refute such talk after Aguero recently led the line brilliantly during a 3-1 win in the reverse fixture against Barca, per City:

Aguero is still a talisman up front for City, but the squad is no longer quite as reliant on its No. 10 since Guardiola took over, with the signing of Nolito, the improvement of Raheem Sterling and the continued excellence of Kevin De Bruyne easing the pressure.

It also helps when Guardiola's team is getting goals from midfield, with Ilkay Gundogan, another Guardiola import, netting four times in two matches.

LINDSEY PARNABY/Getty Images

Still, City won't dominate the Premier League and European football without a standout striker. If Aguero is sold, Guardiola would need a replacement.

Aubameyang qualifies as the obvious fit, but he prefers a move to Real's Santiago Bernabeu rather than switching to England's top flight, per Cross. So Aguero may stay put at City after all.