Diego Godin has dismissed reports linking him with a move to the Premier League, by revealing he intends to remain at Atletico Madrid.
The Uruguay international, who has 86 caps for his country, was said to be a target for Manchester United in the summer. Louis van Gaal remains eager to shore up his unsteady defence and has been linked with a firm offer for the 28-year-old centre-half when the transfer window reopens in the New Year, whilst more recent reports claim Jose Mourinho also wants the player at Chelsea.
However, it now appears as neither side have much chance of luring Godin from the Spanish capital. Under contract at the Vicente Calderon until the end of the 2017-18 season, the former Villarreal star – who helped Los Rojiblancos to La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League final last season – insists he wants to stay at his current club until he decides to return home.
“At this point, I feel that I’m in the best time of my career and I still see my retirement very far,” he said. “I would like to stay many years here. But it is true that I also have an attraction from my country and at any point in the future I would like to return to Uruguay, to respond to the love they have showed me. But just the time will say. It is difficult to know where I will be playing in as many years.”
Godin began his career with Club Atletico Cerro of Montevideo, where he spent three years before moving on to Nacional where he helped them to a league title during his one and only season there. He was then lured to El Madrigal in 2007, and had three years at the club before moving to Atletico for £6.6million. As well as La Liga title last term, he has also had UEFA Europa League and Copa del Rey success.
So is Godin out of the question for United and Chelsea, or do you think he could still be persuaded to move to England? Let us know what you think below.
