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According to Mark Ogden of The Telegraph, Manchester United are plotting an ambitious January move for Atletico Madrid’s 28-year-old defender, Diego Godin, by activating his release clause of £28.5m.
Louis Van Gaal has shortlisted defenders to bolster his side’s defensive options, with Diego Godin currently leading the list, even though the Uruguyan’s contract with the Spanish champions runs till 2018.
Manchester United’s injury crisis has been the talking point of this season so far, where the club has seen the likes of Rafael, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo sidelined for at least a month.
Besides Diego Godin, Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels, Athletic Bilbao’s Aymeric Laporte, Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar and Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez have been identified as Van Gaal’s possible defensive targets.
With the Bundesliga’s outfit currently struggling to gain form, it is highly unlikely that Dortmund would consider selling Mats Hummels in January.
Ron Vlaar is yet to sign a new contract with Villa and looks more like a realistic target, as he wouldn’t mind joining his former boss at Old Trafford. In case he refuses to sign a new contract.
Laporte and Martinez are other defensive options available for Louis Van Gaal.
Manchester United currently lack a leader in defense, someone who can manage the young lads like Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair and Diego Godin is just the man! He is very well known for his consistency, leadership and his composure even in difficult situations as well as his great aerial ability, which can be seen when he scored the crucial header against Barcelona last season which eventually helped Atletico to be crowned champions.
With Atletico Madrid currently third in the league and first in Group A of the UEFA Champions League, it will need heck a lot of convincing from Louis Van Gaal, if he’s to convince the 28-year-old to leave the Vincente Caledron.
