Everton benefit from Ben Godfrey sale after new sighting in Italy

Dan Bardell believes Everton selling Ben Godfrey to Atalanta this summer is a move that suits all parties as a deal nears completion.

Gianluca Di Marzio spotted the Englishman (28 June) arriving for his medical in Bergamo which is set to take place later on Friday (28 June).

An initial fee of £8.4 million will be paid by the Serie A outfit with £1.7m being added to his contract by way of add-ons [Dharmesh Sheth].

Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell has suggested that this move could prove to be beneficial for both parties this summer.

Speaking exclusively to Goodison News, Bardell said: “He was a player who cost around £25m so they are going to make a loss on him.

His contract is up in a couple of years and he is 26 now and has never truly cemented himself into the starting XI. He is probably someone who has suffered because they can play in a variety of different positions which means he never got to lay down one position.

I think it’s a good move for both parties. Everton needs to sell before they can spend and £10m can go towards improving the squad.

I just think he has fallen victim to a turbulent place to play football over the years and it wasn’t that long ago he was playing for England.

Ben Godfrey to leave Everton for Atalanta

Considering the Italian side are going to be playing Champions League football next season, this is a step up for the Englishman.

In recent years, things haven’t quite gone right for Godfrey who has never quite found his role and position in the Toffees team.

With the ability to play in either full-back role and as a centre-back, he has been moved around too much considering he is 26 years old.

Potentially moving to Atalanta will give him more consistent game time as a centre back which was the position Everton originally signed him for.

He was a shining light in Norwich City’s more recent Premier League stints and was picked up by the Toffees after their relegation.

Godfrey has pace and strength which are always positive for a defender but this has been his downfall after being forced wide.

To receive up to £10m for him is a loss overall but could prove to be a financial boost which is needed even with the new ownership of Dan Friedkin.

In other Everton news, a push has been made to sign Yankuba Minteh with Newcastle United getting desperate to sell.

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