Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin has confirmed he turned down the chance to join Manchester City two years ago when Manuel Pellegrini was manager.
Pellegrini, who took Godin from Nacional in Uruguay to Villarreal in 2007, wanted to reunite with the centre-back in the Premier League with concerns over Vincent Kompany’s fitness and question marks over Eliaquim Mangala’s ability.
City were then forced to spend £28.5m on Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi, who has underwhelmed since his arrival and could leave the club this summer.
“It’s true that two years ago, City wanted me when he [Pellegrini] was there,” Godin told The Daily Mail, via Manchester Evening News. “I’m proud that he wanted me, but I feel like just another fan of this club. I’m very happy here. I didn’t feel that it was the moment to leave.”
While City have failed to find a suitable defender to partner Vincent Kompany and now John Stones, Godin has only furthered his reputation as one of the best centre-backs in Europe under Diego Simeone.
Since August 2009 only two defenders have won more tackles and interceptions combined in La Liga than Godin (1185).
For more stats on Diego Godin, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
