Atletico reject bid for Aguero

Aguero has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea (AP )

Atletico Madrid claim to have rejected another approach from a major European club for star striker Sergio Aguero.

The 21-year-old Argentina international continues to be linked to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United, but Atletico’s majority shareholder Miguel Angel Gil Marin insists that Aguero will only leave when he wants to.

Gil Marin commented: “We have had another opportunity to sell him and again we have said no.

“Aguero will leave Atletico when he wants to go, as happened with Fernando Torres.”

Barcelona head coach Pep Guardiola accepted that his side had laboured to a 2-0 win over rock-bottom Xerez on Wednesday evening.

Goals from Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic gave Barca the points at the Neuvo Chapin and moved them five points clear at the top of La Liga.

Guardiola commented after the win: “Our problem was how to play, how to approach the game, which was very even. The quality of our team decided the game because neither team created many chances.

“The game was dangerous until the end. Until the second goal, nothing was settled.

“I try to give all teams equal value, you cannot give Xerez any less respect. We were not fluid, we were slow.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid great Zinedine Zidane has backed summer signings Kaka and Karim Benzema to silence their doubters and prove to be successful acquisitions for the Spanish giants.

Brazil star Kaka cost Real £59m while the arrival of France striker Benzema necessitated a further outlay of £32m during a busy summer transfer window.

Neither player has yet to fully find their find in La Liga, but Zidane is confident that both players will blossom at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Kaka's subdued display in the 1-0 weekend defeat to Barcelona has come in for particular criticism.

"As always here there is criticism," said Zidane, who won the Champions League twice with Los Merengues.

"This is the way it is. After two months I also went through this time and it will happen.

"They're both talented players and talented players in Madrid will win."