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| Man City want Diego Godin to shore up their defence |
MANCHESTER CITY are plotting a move for Diego Godin, according to reports.
The Atletico Madrid defender has a £28million buyout clause and City are unlikely to be able to negotiate a lower fee.
Godin, 29, has been one of the top centre-backs in Europe over the last three seasons.
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| Diego Godin battles with Javier Hernandez for possession in the Madrid derby |
He joined Atletico in 2010 and helped them break down the Real-Barcelona dominance in La Liga by winning the title in 2014.
Atletico were finalists in the Champions League - losing to rivals Real - in the same season.
The 6ft 1 defender has 92 Uruguay caps and has been coveted by both Manchester United and Chelsea in recent seasons.
But, according to the Daily Mail, City have begun internal discussions over an approach.
City currently have Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala, Martin Demichelis and Jason Denayer at centre back.
They were reportedly interested in John Stones but having already spent £49million on Raheem Sterling they appear unwilling to compete with Chelsea for his signature this summer.
Godin - with his buyout clause - would be a more straight forward purchase, although it would show a lack of faith in Mangala who signed last summer for £31million.
The France international struggled in his debut season but has spoken of the need to step his game up.
"I am focused on the season ahead and I want to play my part to the full," he told the club's official website. "I know I need to improve and show my best game every time I play and that's what I intend to do.
"I need to find my match sharpness, which is normal for all of us at this stage of the season."
However alarm bells have been ringing follow the club's poor pre-season after big defeats to Real Madrid and German side Stuttgart.
And that seems to have forced Manuel Pellegrini to consider more activity with the season starting this weekend.
City begin their campaign on Monday evening away to West Brom.
Pellegrini is also understood to be keen on signing Kevin De Bruyne from Wolfsburg, a deal that would cost £45m.
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