Manchester United have made a speculative deadline-day bid for Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin - though it is seen as highly unlikely to come off as the club continues to search for reinforcements in central defence.
The 32-year-old Uruguayan international fits exactly the profile of the type of experienced centre-half leader Jose Mourinho wants as he desperately seeks to bring in a defender.
Godin is understood to have a release clause of €20m (£18m) but Atletico would seek to persuade him to stay in the event United triggered it. A straight approach is more likely, with Atletico expected to reject any offer.
Diego Simeone has already convinced Antoine Griezmann to turn down an agreed transfer to FC Barcelona this summer and it remains extremely unlikely that he would let Godin, arguably an even more key to Atleti's success, to leave the club.
The Madrid club have strengthened significantly this summer, and believe they can chase down Barca and Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
Atletico spent €70m (£64m) on Monaco and France winger Thomas Lemar as well as completing deals for highly-rated young Spaniards Rodri and Jonny. Gelson Martins arrived on a free transfer after rescinding his contract with Sporting CP, and the Europa League winners are well-positioned to challenge both domestically and in the Champions League.
With such a positive feeling around Atletico it would be virtually impossible to convince Godin to leave the club he joined in 2010. Godin has previously rejected an approach from Manchester City when Manuel Pellegrini, who knew Godin from their time together at Villarreal, was the coach.
