A common criticism that has come Everton’s way in recent times is that, when selling players, The Toffees tend to make a substantial loss on those who arrived at Goodison Park for considerable sums.
Alex Iwobi joined from Arsenal for around £40 million and left for Fulham for £15 million less. Nearly £30 million was paid to take Yerry Mina away from Barcelona. The giant centre-half departed on a free transfer last summer.
That rather unhelpful trend continues with Allan, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Cenk Tosun, Theo Walcott, Yannick Bolasie, Morgan Schneiderlin and more.
HITC, meanwhile, revealed on Friday morning that another expensive Everton acquisition was set to leave for more than half the fee The Toffees paid for him in the first place.
Clearly, this long-running issue is still very much an ongoing problem.
Everton accept Atalanta bid for Ben Godfrey
The Merseysiders spent £25 million to bring in the then-Norwich City captain Ben Godfrey back in 2020, when Carlo Ancelotti was at the helm and supporters were looking forward to a brighter future.
Four years on, HITC understands that Everton have accepted a cut-price £10 million bid from Atalanta. Albeit a decision forced by the fact that Godfrey has only 12 months left on his contract.
The two-time England international has now been pictured arriving in Italy too, via Gianluca di Marzio, with a medical set to take place imminently.
HITC have been told that Everton actually received a bid in excess of Atalanta’s £10 million offer from French giants Lyon. Godfrey, however, made it clear that he was only interested in a move to La Dea.
Godfrey would even have looked to run his contract down and leave Goodison Park on a free transfer had Everton not accepted Atalanta’s disposal.
A move to Bergamo, meanwhile, will see the versatile defender link up with another former Everton man in Ademola Lookman. The former Fulham and Leicester City loanee has been a revelation in Italy, becoming only the fourth player ever to score a hat-trick in a European final when he single handedly tore Bayer Leverkusen apart to claim Atalanta’s first ever major trophy in May.
Reunited with Ademola Lookman in Serie A
“He’s put in a masterclass in how to set people, shift, bang. That (third strike) is a brilliant goal,” one-time Manchester United and England midfielder Owen Hargreaves told TNT Sport after Lookman completed his treble with a stunning strike into the roof of the net.
“What a player he is in the one v one. He reminds me of (Buyako) Saka in the way he sets people, gets them off balance, and he’s always got a picture in the way he wants to finish.
“He’s destroyed everybody out there.”
Godfrey’s ability to play anywhere across the frontline should appeal to Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who likes footballers capable of thriving in a variety of roles.
He and Lookman will both be playing Champions League football in 2024/25, too. Atalanta secured a seat at Europe’s top table with that Europa League hammering of Xabi Alonso’s hitherto unbeaten Leverkusen side.
Everton, meanwhile, have signed only Tim Iroegbunam this summer so far. The stylish central midfielder joins in a £10 million deal from Aston Villa, with striker Lewis Dobbin moving in the other direction.
Sean Dyche’s side are hot on the heels of Newcastle United winger Yankuba Minteh, though talks to take Dominic Calvert-Lewin to St James’ Park appear to have ended.
Everton, HITC understands, are also one of the clubs keen on Roma’s £18 million-rated action man Edoardo Bove.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
