• Premier League

United will have to pay more than €20m for Godin

ESPN staff
December 4, 2014
Diego Godin is under contract at Atletico Madrid until 2018 © Getty Images
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Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has poured scorn on suggestions that Manchester United would be successful with a bid of €20 million (£15.7m) for Diego Godin in January.

United are reportedly looking to strengthen their backline in the winter transfer market after losing defenders Rafael, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo to injuries.

Godin, 28, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford but when asked whether Atletico would accept an offer in the region of €20m from United for Godin, Simeone made it clear he thinks the player is worth a lot more.

Simeone said: "Let's talk about something else. How much? 20? For Godin? It must be a mistake."

Godin, who helped Uruguay reach the last 16 of the World Cup in Brazil, is under contract with the Spanish champions until June 2018.

The centre-back has been a key player in Simeone's squad since moving to the Vicente Calderon stadium in 2010 from Villarreal.

Godin started in 34 league games last season and scored four goals, including the crucial equaliser against Barcelona in the final game of the 2013-14 campaign to hand Atletico their first league title since 1996.

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