Everton receive bid from Atalanta for £15m-rated Ben Godfrey

Everton have rejected a €10 million (£8.46m) bid from Atalanta defender for Ben Godfrey, according to The Athletic. 

The Italian club are keen on bringing the 26-year-old to Serie A, but their initial offer falls short of the Toffees’ asking price of £15m.

Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini is set to be sidelined for months after suffering a serious injury in the build-up to the 2024 European Championship.

La Dea are in the market for a centre-half to replace the promising Italian youngster and have turned to Godfrey.

Per the report, Godfrey is interested in a move to Atalanta, but the Serie A side will need to improve their offer if they want to secure his signature. 

Everton are willing to let the Shrewsbury-born defender enter the final year of his contract and depart for free in 2025 rather than sell him for a price they deem insufficient.

Godfrey has been a mainstay at Goodison Park since arriving from Norwich City in 2016, making 93 appearances in all competitions. 

However, he has struggled to secure regular playing time under Sean Dyche, making just 16 appearances across all competitions last term.

The England international is a valuable option for any side looking to bolster their backline this summer. 

He is an aggressive and versatile defender who likes to play on the front foot, and he looks the perfect fit for Gian Piero Gasperini’s man-for-man football.

Godfrey’s contract expires next year, and this summer is Everton’s last chance to recoup a decent transfer fee for the defender. 

Negotiations will likely continue for the former Norwich defender, but Atalanta must bridge the gap and match Everton’s valuation to secure Godfrey’s services.

Everton are close to completing a deal for Iliman Ndiaye. The Toffees have also signed Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa, while Jack Harrison has re-joined on a season-long loan from Leeds United.