Ben Godfrey preferred destination named as bids made for Everton defender
Everton defender Ben Godfrey would prefer to move to Atalante instead of Lyon during the summer transfer window, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The outlet reported on Thursday (27 June) that the Ligue 1 side are believed to have matched the Toffees’ £12.7million valuation of the Englishman, while the Serie A team have only offered £8.4million for his services.
However, the 26-year-old would rather make the switch to Italy this summer and it is believed that Atalanta’s long-standing interest is what has convinced Godfrey they’re the right fit for him.
With Godfrey’s contract set to expire at the end of next season, the Europa League winners know that they could sign him for nothing next summer.
Will Everton sell Ben Godfrey to Atalanta in summer transfer window at Goodison Park?
While it seems as though the Toffees are willing to allow Godfrey to depart this summer, they will still want to receive a fair fee for the defender’s services before they allow him to walk away from Goodison Park.
With PSR concerns rife throughout the Premier League, the difference between the two bids may well see Sean Dyche’s side more willing to negotiate with Lyon than they are with Atalanta, as a sale upwards of £12million could help them dodge a point deduction.
Although a player’s preference will always play some sort of part in the decision, the Blues cannot afford to just throw their valuation to the side to try and keep the 26-year-old happy. Unless Atalanta up their bid, Lyon will be the frontrunners.
Ultimately, Godfrey could refuse a move to the French side and that sort of incident isn’t unheard of, but if he does the Toffees could well end up stuck with him and then have to let him leave for nothing next summer.
Something will have to change for the England international to get his move to Italy.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have been told to pursue a cut-price deal for Harry Maguire during the summer transfer window
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