Daniel Feliciano

Thu 1 February 2024 7:10, UK

Everton have rejected bids from AC Milan and Atalanta to sign Ben Godfrey ahead of the February 1 transfer deadline, according to Jacque Talbot.

Writing on his personal Twitter account (31 January), the news journalist reports that the Serie A giants both made offers for the 26-year-old defender but the Toffees knocked them back due to a failure to agree on a fee.

The player now looks set to stay at Goodison Park for the rest of the season despite having been linked with an exit all month after limited game time under Sean Dyche.

Boost

While Godfrey is seen as a player who is largely expendable in the squad at Everton by fans, at this stage of the transfer window it’s a good thing that he is staying.

Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young have been struggling with injuries while Nathan Patterson seems to blow hot and cold under Dyche, and Godfrey got a rare start and performed well in the 0-0 draw with Fulham in midweek.

There is very little time to get any incoming deals done at this point, so letting Godfrey leave now would just leave the squad short on numbers and options and considering the position the squad is in in the league table that isn’t acceptable.

If Godfrey is capable of filling in where needed at the level that he has done this season then he’s a solid squad option and his situation can be re-evaluated in the summer.

But until then, the club need to cut the power and ensure nobody is allowed to leave before tonight’s 11pm deadline otherwise it can only be bad news for Dyche.

In other Everton news, Richard Keys and Andy Gray share ‘Gut Feeling’ on Everton appeal with hearing due to begin.

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