Godfrey nearing Everton move

The Liverpool Echo are claiming Norwich City defender Ben Godfrey is ‘close’ to a move to Everton, making him the club’s fourth major signing of the summer.

The paper say that a deal has been more or less agreed, with a medical happening very soon, but that finer details still need to be ironed out before Everton get their man. The fee is supposedly around £25 million.

Godfrey has been linked with the Toffees for a while and it appears that although Carlo Ancelotti still had half an eye on Chelsea’s Fikayo Tomori and Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo, the young Englishman seems to be front-runner.

One of the reasons that attention appears to have shifted to the Norwich youngster, is that the Blues can continue to negotiate a deal for a few more weeks after the Premier League transfer window closes on Monday night, as the Championship window is open for longer.

In addition, other media are claiming Fulham are close to securing a deal for Todibo, so if true, that would give added urgency to Everton’s pursuit of Godfrey.

Signing the 22-year-old would appear to be more of a Marcel Brands-type signing. He fits that profile of player with his youth and potential sell-on value later.

Having said that, if the Toffees can maintain their current progress and build something really substantial under Ancelotti, then they surely won’t be needing to sell such players.

Godfrey is a well-regarded young central defender, who is big, powerful, quick and who also likes to get forward when he can. In addition, he does seem to be comfortable playing on the left of a central defensive pairing, something Ancelotti is keen on.

He’s also lined up at centre-back, full-back and in central midfield. So again the young defender brings a certain amount of versatility as well. Finally he has Premier League experience so there would be no settling-in period, as might be the case with a defender from a European club.

To be honest, while these rumours of a deal look pretty solid, it’s a little surprising that Everton are contemplating signing Godfrey up front and doing so straight away.

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I would have expected the club to go for a loan move this year with any new central defender, perhaps having an option to buy next summer.

After all, long-term the Blues are well-stocked at centre-back, with Micheal Keane, Yerry Mina and when they’re fit again, Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite. Plus let’s not forget Lewis Gibson who is on loan again this season.

Bringing in Godfrey would make it six centre-backs, which is more than enough cover at that particular, though crucial, position.

Still, if a very good young player is available and wants to come to Goodison Park, as Godfrey apparently does, then why not snap him up.

Everton also seem to have a bit of cash still to spare in their transfer kitty and if the stories of James Rodriguez signing on a free transfer are true then that’s perhaps why.