Man Utd make contact for defensive stalwart with €20m release clause as deadline edges closer

Manchester United FC
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Man Utd have reportedly made a deadline-day approach for Atletico Madrid and Uruguay defender Diego Godin.

The 32-year-old is vastly experienced having established himself as a defensive pillar for club and country in recent years and is undoubtedly still at the top of his game.

SEE MORE: Jose Mourinho provides deadline-day transfer update for Man Utd fans

Despite the fact that he has a whole host of options in defence with Eric Bailly, Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo at his disposal, Jose Mourinho is seemingly intent on bolstering his backline before the transfer deadline passes.

According to Sky Sports, as seen in the video below, Godin has now emerged on their transfer radar and so it remains to be seen as to whether Man Utd have given themselves enough time to reach an agreement with Atleti.

AS reported earlier this summer that the veteran has a €20m release clause in his contract, and so perhaps it may come down to convincing him to move to Old Trafford.

Although the Spanish transfer deadline doesn’t close until later this month, Diego Simeone will surely be desperate to hold on to his defensive leader, or at the very least have the time to identify a replacement first before losing him.

In turn, it seems unlikely that United will be successful with their late swoop, but time will tell if they can reach a deal and solve Mourinho’s defensive conundrum.

Having finished 19 points adrift of champions Man City last season, United arguably needed to act in this summer transfer window. However, given that they boasted the second best defensive record in the top flight last year, conceding just one more goal than City, it seems bizarre that the defence would be a priority.

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