Everton transfer news: Surprise Harry Souttar deal with Leicester City on cards as Ben Godfrey could leave for Leeds United
Everton are considering a “surprise” move to bring in giant Leicester City defender Harry Souttar as a replacement for Ben Godfrey, according to TEAMtalk.
The outlet reported on their website on 30 January that the Australian international could be allowed to leave the King Power after falling out of favour under Enzo Maresca, and the Toffees are “keeping tabs” on him as they decide whether to let their own exit-linked defender depart.
Leeds United and Genoa are both after the 26-year-old, but Sean Dyche will reportedly only let him go if a replacement can be brought in, as he doesn’t want to weaken his squad.
That has seen Everton turn their attentions to six foot seven inch Souttar [Daily Mail, 26 January], while looking at a number of defensive targets, with the 25-year-old concerned that a lack of games could harm his international ambitions.
One in one out?
Souttar and Godfrey appear to be in very similar positions at their respective clubs, with the former having only featured four times in all competitions for the Championship leaders this season, and the latter just three for the Toffees.
The Everton defender’s former Norwich City boss is said to have made it a priority to bring him to Elland Road before the deadline, with a new bid on the cards after an initial loan offer was knocked back.
As he is stuck behind not only regular starters Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski but also the often-criticised Michael Keane in the centre-back hierarchy at Goodison Park it would appear that Dyche isn’t overly convinced.
His versatility works in his favour as he can cover both full-back spots if necessary, although a run of games on either side of the back line last season didn’t go especially well.
So if he isn’t getting a look in at Everton and is wanted strongly by his former boss at Leeds then it might work all round for him to move.
It would surely have to be a permanent move, or at least a loan with a reasonable fee, if the Toffees were then able to bring Souttar in, since there is no budget otherwise and the manager surely won’t want to lose an attacking option for a defender from his two loan slots.
Since the Leicester man’s contract reportedly runs to 2028 a free transfer seems out of question, even if he has only played for the club 15 times since arriving from Stoke City prior to last season.
The prospect of a defence with Branthwaite and Souttar in it would give Everton are towering pair who would be tough to beat in the air, but a lot of factors surely have to come together for the Australian to be viable in the next couple of days.
In other Everton news, two “key assets” at Goodison Park will be staying past the close of the transfer window amid transfer interest.
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