Ben Godfrey surprise cut-price transfer on the cards at Everton in ‘huge blow’ to Sean Dyche
Ben Godfrey could leave Everton during the transfer window in a “huge blow” to Sean Dyche, according to talkSPORT.
The outlet reported via their website on 4 June that Italian giants AC Milan are keen on the defender, with Europa League winners Atalanta also interested after a move in January broke down.
He was in and out of the Toffees side last term under Dyche who used him at both full-back spots but rarely at his preferred central position.
If Godfrey, 26, does depart it is claimed that Everton know they will “have to take a huge financial loss” on the £25million deal they agreed to sign him from Norwich four years ago.
Everton defender set for Champions League?
Given Godfrey has been struggling to get nail down a spot in the Everton side since breaking his leg under Frank Lampard it isn’t hard to see why he might be interested in playing Champions League football with one of the top sides in Italy.
In terms of depth across the back line it certainly would be an inconvenience for Dyche to lose a player who can cover a number of positions.
But it might be a stretch to consider it a huge blow to the manager when Godfrey only made 16 appearances in all competitions last term.
And if a sale helped Everton to keep hold of star defender Jarrad Branthwaite it might even be considered a price worth paying to do a deal with one of the Serie A clubs.
It is surely the case that with a year left on his contract and not a regular starter at Goodison Park of late Godfrey won’t generate a fee anywhere near what was paid to bring him to the club, but given the majority of that money will have been amortised on the books over the past four years even a modest fee might represent an accounting profit at this stage.
Thankfully there may not be a fire sale at Everton this summer but, despite significant cash coming in to pay the bills in the wake of 777’s takeover failure, Kevin Thelwell has already admitted some players may have to go, so if a reasonable bid comes in for Godfrey he wouldn’t be the most damaging player to lose even if he is a useful option.
In other Everton news, John Textor has caused a “real mystery” over his intentions to buy the club from Farhad Moshiri.
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