Cagliari defender Diego Godin has revealed how close he came to joining Manchester City.

Godin was captain of Atletico Madrid at the time.

He recalled to AS: "Yes, that was the summer of 2015. Manchester City came and paid more than my clause, because I wanted to do it on good terms. And I was negotiating with Atlético and City was pressing, Cholo (coach Diego Simeone) found out in Japan, because the team was touring Asia, although I was in Madrid because I had returned later from the Copa America.

"Everyone closed ranks, I remember Gabi, Raúl García, Tiago, all my teammates and Cholo too and he said: 'If Godín goes, I'll go'. That's what Cholo said and the next day I was renewing.

"They are gestures that I have to thank. Actually, that shows what group there was. Within that group I had and have friends. Soccer happens, but what you have left are friends and people who love me to this day."