Manchester United made an eleventh hour effort to sign Uruguayan international Diego Godin, but their advances have been rebuffed by the defender.
As per reports from the Daily Mail, Atletico Madrid centre-back Diego Godin has turned down a chance to join Premier League giants Manchester United on the English transfer deadline day. The Red Devils have been scouring the market for a new defensive addition, but so far have failed to make any progress in their pursuit.
Their attempts to land primary targets Toby Alderweireld and Harry Maguire have hit a brick wall. And with another potential target, Yerry Mina, on the verge of finalizing a move to Everton, United made an approach to sign the experienced Godin from Atleti on the deadline day.
It is believed that Manchester United were willing to pay off the 32-year old’s £17.5 million release clause and had tabled a lucrative two-year contract worth £150,000-a-week in wages. However, Godin has decided to snub the offer in favour of a stay at the Wanda Metropolitano. It is understood that the defender is likely to sign a new contract with Los Rojiblancos instead.
The 32-year old is widely regarded as one of the best central defenders in the game and has been an integral member of Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid for years now. Godin also had a splendid 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, earlier this summer, where he played a crucial role in Uruguay’s run to the quarterfinals.
A leader and a champion defender, Godin has a huge admirer in Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. However, the 121-time capped Uruguayan international feels settled in the Spanish capital and enjoys an excellent relationship with his current boss Simeone, which has led to him rejecting the English giants’ overtures.
Manchester United have had a frustrating transfer window so far, having been unable to secure a number of priority targets. As a result, Mourinho has often cut a forlorn figure during the pre-season.
In his press conference ahead of Friday’s season opener against Leicester City, the Portuguese did not sound optimistic about his club’s chances of signing anyone before the transfer window slams shut.
With Godin snubbing the Red Devils, Leicester not willing to budge on their stance with regard to Maguire and Alderweireld’s move dependent on Spurs being able to bringing in a replacement before the deadline, a new defender arriving at the Old Trafford before the window closes is starting to look highly improbable.
This could mean that Argentine defender Marcos Rojo, who has been strongly linked with a move to Everton this summer, is likely to end up staying put with the 20-time English champions.
Manchester United head honcho Ed Woodward and head of corporate development Matt Judge are believed to be at the club’s Carrington training complex, trying to get last-minute deals done. However, it remains to be seen if they will be successful in their ventures.
