Atletico Madrid star Diego Godin could be on the verge of a big-money move to Manchester City.

Per Simon Jones of the Daily Mail, City “could trigger [the] Atletico Madrid defender’s £28 million release clause,” while “his agent, Paco Casal, has held discussions with City’s hierarchy and is willing to push for the move.”

According to Squawka, Godin was Atletico’s second-best performer in La Liga last season. As Jones notes, Los Rojiblancos “would not wish to sell such a key component of their team, particularly after selling Joao Miranda to Inter Milan earlier in the summer, yet are powerless if the buy-out clause is met and the player wishes to go.”

Ahead of last season’s January transfer window, the Uruguayan stated his desire to remain in the Spanish capital for “many years” but admitted “it is difficult to know where I will be playing in as many years.”

The experienced 29-year-old is a key figure at the back for Atletico and would have much to add to City’s squad.

As OptaJose and WhoScored.com demonstrate, the defender’s goal contribution and dominance in the air are two of his biggest strengths:

Indeed, Bleacher Report’s own Jason Pettigrove described Godin as a “fearless and uncompromising warrior,” which indicates that he would be well-suited to English football.

With Eliaquim Mangala routinely exposed last season as he struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League and Martin Dimichelis entering the twilight of his career at 34, City need to strengthen defensively ahead of a title challenge.

The Sky Blues conceded more goals than fellow top-four finishers Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United last season, which demonstrates their need to improve.

Though Godin appears content to stay at the Vicente Calderon, the chance for a new challenge and more winners medals could tempt the centre-back should City meet the £28 million clause.

If they can acquire his signature, City would undoubtedly enjoy an air of invulnerability they so often lacked last year while also easing the pressure on the aging Dimichelis and allowing Mangala more time to find his feet in England. 

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