New reports have surfaced today saying Atalanta have offered 10 million euros for Everton defender Ben Godfrey. David Ornstein of The Athletic says the offer is below Everton's valuation of Godfrey, which is in the 15 million euro range. Another club offered that price, which Atalanta must match to acquire Godfrey. El Bobble has confirmed the offer from Atalanta as well.
🚨 EXCL: Everton receive €10m bid from Atalanta for Ben Godfrey. Verbal proposal below £15m asking price (offered by another club). 26yo keen but #Atalanta must get nearer valuation to prevent sale elsewhere or stay for last yr of #EFC deal @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/4ALJ3oqklW
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) June 26, 2024
Atalanta have made a bid worth up to £10 million for Everton defender Ben Godfrey 🔵
— The Bobble (@ElBobble) June 26, 2024
The 26-year-old Englishman seems ready for a move given the lack of playing time the past two seasons and the form he has lost since arriving at Merseyside. Everton purchased Godfrey back in 2020 from Norwich City for up to 27 million euros.
Entering the last year of his contract, Godfrey has reportedly rejected a new offer and stands to become a free agent at the end of next season. Other clubs have shown interest as well, but Atalanta seems to be the first to make a substantial offer.
I'm sure Everton would not mind letting him go and getting any monetary value this point seems like a win since Godfrey could leave next summer as a free agent and Everton get nothing.
The other question Everton would need to address assuming Godfrey goes is where the depth stands at the center-back and fullback positions.
At right fullback, there are plenty of options, but none are good enough to be confident in heading into next season. Left fullback leaves only Vitaly Mykolenko at the moment unless one believes Ashley Young can play on that side.
At center-back Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski are the shoed-in starting pair but behind them gives much less confidence. Michael Keane has never seemed to put his best foot forward since putting on an Everton shirt and Mason Holgate was loaned out to Southampton last season for a reason.
I am all for selling a player on especially if they do not want to extend their stay with Everton, but Godfrey for better or worse is a key backup in the squad and as of now there are no better backup options other than him.
Everton started the transfer window brilliantly with the signings of Jack Harrison, Tim Iroegbunam, and Iliman Ndiaye and the selling of Lewis Dobbin. Due to the lack of quality in the squad, more work needs to be done ahead of next season.
Godfrey's move could be the next step, and hopefully, Everton has a plan to have cover in those defensive areas.