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Former Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin reveals Manchester City paid his release clause in 2015 but Diego Simeone said he would QUIT the Spanish giants if Uruguayan star left

Former Atletico Madrid centre back Diego Godin has revealed how close Manchester City came to signing him back in 2015 only for Diego Simeone to get his own way in the end.

The veteran centre back, who now plays his football in Serie A for Cagliari, became an icon at Atletico Madrid after playing a remarkable 389 games for the club over a successful nine-year spell.

However, things could have turned out very differently for Godin, who has admitted that Atletico boss Simeone threatened to quit if the stalwart left the club in 2015 after Premier League giants City paid more than his £28million release clause.