Manchester United have struggled to get a transfer deal for Diego Godin over the line in recent years but reports are suggesting that the Atletico Madrid defender could finally move to Old Trafford when the transfer window reopens in January.
United boss, Jose Mourinho, has been a long-time admirer of Godin and signing a new defender will be a priority in the new year as the Red Devils have already conceded an eye-watering 21 goals in 12 Premier League games this season.
The experienced Godin is seen as an ideal addition to bring some stability to the centre of a defence that has often resembled a comedy double act when any two of Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have been paired together.
According to the Manchester Evening News, bookmakers have gone 5/2 for Godin to move to United during the transfer window, although he is still 1/3 to stay in La Liga with Atletico. The 32-year-old is also 5/1 to move to Paris St-Germain and 7/1 to join Chelsea.
The Uruguayan stalwart is out of contract next summer and his minimum release fee has dropped to £20m as he is in the final twelve months of his current deal, which could spark something of a transfer battle when the transfer window reopens in a little over five weeks' time.
Godin may be getting on in years but he is a throwback to the old style of defending and he is best described as 'no nonsense'. He is unlikely to flourish in a team managed by Pep Guardiola or Maurizio Sarri, but he has been a stalwart of Diego Simeone's at Atletico for a number of years, with the La Liga side conceding only eight goals in twelve league games this term.
Godin is a superb defender - even if his distribution leaves a bit to be desired - and he would be a perfect addition for a manager like Mourinho, who, like Simeone, is more of a pragmatist when it comes to his style of football. Mourinho is in pole position for Godin's signature at this stage, although the player may take some convincing to move to England, particularly as he rejected the overtures of United during the summer.
Diego Godin stepped up in Atletico's time of need to secure the three points!
