Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Fri 28 June 2024 7:54, UK

Everton defender Ben Godfrey will arrive in Milan at 10am on Friday to undergo an Atalanta medical and finalise personal terms, sources have told Football Insider.

The 26-year-old is heading to Italy to complete a move to the Serie A side, who have agreed a fee with the Merseysiders of £9m including add-ons.

Godfrey’s Everton contract expires next summer and he was the subject of intense interest from European clubs with Atalanta and Lyon both submitting bids, as revealed [27 June] by Football Insider this week.

Everton accept an improved offer from Atalanta as they won the race for the centre-back’s signature.

It is understood the defender is now putting the finishing touches to the move, which will include a seven-figure signing-on package plus his wages.

Godfrey will join up with the Italian club for pre-season, before a campaign in which they have qualified for the Champions League following their fourth-place finish last term.

Ben Godfrey heads to Milan for medical and to finalise Everton move

Once it became clear Godfrey had no intention of staying at Goodison Park, rejecting several contract offers as reported by Football Insider [16 June], Everton made immediate steps to sell the player before the end of June.

This will enable the club to recoup at least some of the reported £20m fee they paid for Godfrey to prise him from Norwich City back in 2020, before English clubs must declare their accounts for Financial Fair Play purposes on Sunday.

Godfrey’s age profile fits a rising Champions League club, but also gives the player an alternative option at a crucial stage of his career as he is expected to sign a long-term deal in Italy.

Everton will know the capabilities they are losing given the level of interest from across Europe in the defender, and Sean Dyche will be disappointed to lose an experienced member of his squad, but Godfrey has played just 28 times in the Premier League across the last two seasons.

It is expected his sale – and possibly that of Amadou Onana in the coming weeks – will contribute towards Everton’s hopes of keeping Jarrad Branthwaite on Merseyside.

In other news, Keith Wyness is “absolutely thrilled” by details of a £200m move at Everton.

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