Manchester United Transfer News: Diego Godin Eyed, Victor Valdes Returns to Club

Manchester United will reportedly turn to Atletico Madrid's Diego Godin to help solve their defensive puzzle once the January transfer window opens, if the latest reports are to be believed.

The Daily Mail's Joe Strange claims the Uruguay international is on a long list of potential winter investments, and Louis van Gaal would be willing to trigger his £28 million release clause.

The 28-year-old has been one of Atletico's most consistent performers over the past two years, guiding the team to the La Liga title and Champions League final in 2013-14. This campaign, he has so far started every match of the La Liga season, via WhoScored.com.

The centre-back brings an excellent blend of technique, vision and old-school physicality to the position, and the Sunday World's Kevin Palmer believes he would be a good fit at Old Trafford:

The Sunday Times' Oliver Kay is also a fan, sarcastically feigning surprise when FIFA, who are often ridiculed for turning yearly awards into popularity contests rather than handing them out to deserving players put the defender on their shortlist for the world's best defenders:

There's no denying Godin would present a tremendous upgrade to United's defensive unit. None of the players currently at Van Gaal's disposal combines his blend of physicality, experience and sheer class, and despite the fact he's 28 years old, a £28 million buyout clause isn't excessive.

There are a handful of problems with this transfer rumour, however. For starters, the Red Devils' executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward already confirmed the club isn't planning on spending big money in January, via BBC Sport:

"We are not looking to enter the market for short-term fixes. However, we have targets we are looking at for next summer. Should any of them become available in January, which is obviously rare, we will consider acting. But it is a low probability."

An expensive centre-back nearing the end of his peak is just about the definition of "short-term fix," exactly the kind of signing Woodward wishes to avoid.

There's also little reason to believe Godin would want to leave the Spanish capital in the first place. Atletico won last year's La Liga title and played in the Champions League final—they're no longer the "minor" club they were five years ago.

Godin has been with the club since 2010 and lives comfortably in a country where he speaks the language. With the player not giving any indication he may want to leave, it would take a large offer to poach him from the Spanish champions. The Guardian's Nooruddean Choudry thinks it's unlikely he'll leave:

Godin would be an excellent signing for the Red Devils, but as of right now, it seems highly unlikely he'll join in January.

Victor Valdes returned to training following a weekend in Barcelona, reopening the door for a potential deal to be completed soon, according to the Daily Mail's Chris Wheeler.

Paul White/Associated Press

The Spanish veteran has been training with United as he attempts to return from a knee injury, but he seemed unlikely to put pen to paper with the Red Devils after it was reported he had returned to Spain over the weekend.

The return turned out to be temporary, however, and his return immediately led to more speculation, via Metro:

The 32-year-old has been with United for several months now, as he attempts to come back from the gruesome injury that ended his 2013-14 season and ultimately his career with the Blaugrana. A contract with the Red Devils makes sense from that perspective, as the two parties are clearly comfortable with each other.

But Valdes is too young to take on the role of backup to David de Gea, who won't be losing his starting position anytime soon.

If the former Barcelona man is willing to play second fiddle to his compatriot, United would be able to sign one of the world's best safety nets for no transfer fee whatsoever. Whether he agrees to such a role remains to be seen, but a move away from the club still appears more likely.

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