Everton has rejected a €10 million (£8.46m) bid from Atalanta for defender Ben Godfrey, despite the Italian club’s interest in bringing the 26-year-old to Serie A. The initial offer was below Everton’s asking price of £15m, leaving Atalanta in need of a replacement for injured Giorgio Scalvini.
Godfrey has expressed his willingness to leave Goodison Park and move to Italy, but only if Atalanta improves their offer to meet Everton’s valuation. If they don’t agree on a fair deal, Godfrey is content with waiting until his contract expires next year and leaving for free in 2025.
Godfrey has been an integral part of Everton’s defense since joining from Norwich City in 2016, making 93 appearances in all competitions. However, he struggled to secure consistent playing time under Sean Dyche last season, featuring in only 16 matches across all competitions. His aggressive and versatile style makes him a valuable option for any team looking to strengthen their defense, making him a good fit for Atalanta’s style of play under Gian Piero Gasperini.
This summer represents Everton’s last chance to secure a decent transfer fee for the defender as his contract expires next year. Negotiations are expected to continue, but Atalanta will need to meet Everton’s asking price if they want to finalize a deal for Godfrey. Meanwhile, Everton has been active in the transfer market, with deals for Iliman Ndiaye, Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa, and Jack Harrison on loan from Leeds United nearing completion.
In conclusion, while Atalanta is interested in signing Ben Godfrey from Everton, negotiations are ongoing as both clubs try to reach an agreement that meets each other’s requirements. With Godfrey’s contract expiring next year and no guarantees of future success at Goodison Park under new manager Rafael Benitez; it remains uncertain if this season will be his last at the club or not.
