Report: Juventus and both Manchester clubs were interested in Uruguayan defender

Manchester United
Flickr/ Sean Mcentee

Manchester United were hoping to sign a new central defender this summer. The Red Devils were linked with the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Harry Maguire and Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin.

At 32-years-old, Godin has plenty of experience under his belt, is a mature player and has already proven that he is a world-class player. He still has what it takes to force his way into the starting line-up of most leading clubs across the World. He is also a type of player that most managers would want to have in their clubs.

In the end, Mourinho’s troops ended up frustrated, as they failed to reach a deal to sign the Uruguay international nor the other two players that they were linked with.

It now appears that United were not the only club that had been hoping to sign Godin. The player was a very in-demand defender and it now turns out that Manchester City as well as Italian giants Juventus were interested in signing him, according to Spanish outlet AS as reported by Calciomercato.

In the end, the 122-times capped Uruguay national team star opted to remain with Atletico and signed a new deal. He reportedly used United’s interest in him in order to negotiate a better deal for himself at Diego Simeone’s club.

Mourinho was reportedly said to be annoyed by this.

Godin has been on the books of Atleti since 2010 and he has gone on to play over 350 times for the club in all competitions, scoring 23 goals.

He is likely to see out the remaining good years that he has left in him at the La Liga club.