- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that Atalanta have agreed terms with Everton over the transfer of English defender Ben Godfrey.
We reported yesterday that Atalanta were growing in confidence that a deal for Ben Godfrey would get done sooner rather than later.
French side Lyon were also interested and were even prepared to work on a separate deal which would involve Jake O’Brien, who Everton are interested in, moving to Goodison Park.
There was confidence from those in Bergamo as they believed that the lure of playing in the Champions League, as well as alongside former teammate Ademola Lookman, was too good for Godfrey to refuse.
Atalanta agree terms with Everton
Sources have now confirmed that Atalanta’s offer for the 26-year-old defender, which is understood to be around £10 million, has been accepted by those at Goodison Park as Godfrey closes in on a move to the Italian giants.
Lyon were understood to have put an offer on the table for the Everton and it was said to be more than the bid submitted by Atalanta.
However, Godfrey made it clear to those at Goodison Park that if Everton rejected the proposal from the Italian side that he would wait for his contract to run down and then move on a pre-contract agreement.
Had Atalanta not been able to pull off a deal for the Englishman this summer, they were also prepared to wait until January to sign the former Norwich City defender.
Godfrey set to fly to Italy today
Everton have now accepted Atalanta’s offer for the defender and Godfrey will fly out to Bergamo today (Friday) ahead of completing the move over the weekend.
Godfrey moved to Everton back in September of 2020 from Norwich for a fee in the region of £25 million, so those at Goodison Park are set to make a big loss on the defender.
During his time on Merseyside, Godfrey made 93 appearances for the Toffees and provided three assists in all competitions.
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