Inter Milan’s new signing Diego Godin has lifted the lid on why he rejected a move to Manchester United. The 33-year-old defender ended a nine-year stint with Atletico Madrid to join the Nerazzurri on a free transfer.
Godin was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United when Jose Mourinho was in charge at the club. The Red Devils had marked him as one of the transfer targets alongside Toby Alderweireld and Harry Maguire.
Godin revealed that Inter were the first club to show a serious interest in signing him.
“Yes, a year ago there was Juventus, Manchester United, in the past also Man City,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“But at that moment I had a contract in force with Atletico, I didn’t think of leaving. This time [move to Inter] it was different, I was near the end of my contract.
“But I can say that no club convinced me how Inter managed to. They came alive first and decidedly with more conviction than other clubs.
“They showed me the project: it’s ambitious, like me. And I liked the idea of being part of it and being able to help Inter realise it.”
Manchester United are currently chasing Harry Maguire, one of their defensive targets since last summer. The Red Devils are said to be in the ‘last stages’ of the deal that would make the Englishman the most expensive defender of all time.
Meanwhile, Godin is preparing to face Inter Milan in their next pre-season friendly game.
SEE ALSO: Manchester United deal for Harry Maguire in ‘closing stages’
