According to The Athletic, Everton has turned down a €10 million (£8.46m) bid from Atalanta for defender Ben Godfrey. The Italian club is interested in bringing the 26-year-old to Serie A, but their initial offer was below Everton’s asking price of £15m. Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini’s injury has left them in need of a replacement, leading them to pursue Godfrey.
Despite Atalanta’s interest, Godfrey has made it known that he is open to a move to Serie A. However, Atalanta will need to improve their offer to meet Everton’s valuation if they want to secure his signature. Everton is willing to let Godfrey enter the final year of his contract and leave for free in 2025 rather than accept an insufficient transfer fee.
Godfrey has been a regular at Goodison Park 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.
With Godfrey’s contract expiring next year, this summer represents Everton’s last chance to secure a decent transfer fee for the defender. Negotiations are expected to continue, but Atalanta will need to meet Everton’s asking price to finalize a deal for Godfrey. Additionally, Everton has been active in the transfer market, with deals for Iliman Ndiaye, Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa, and Jack Harrison on a loan from Leeds United nearing completion.