Ben Godfrey close to Everton move after Dortmund make move – sources
Everton defender Ben Godfrey is edging closer to his departure from the club after receiving contract offers from Lyon and Atalanta, sources have told Football Insider.
Football Insider revealed on 16th June that Godfrey wason the verge of leaving Goodison Park after rejecting the latest of several new contract offers from the club.
The 26-year-old now has proposals on the table from French giants Lyon along with Italian outfit Atalanta, both of whom have qualified for European football next season.
Borussia Dortmund have also registered their interest in a deal as the race for the centre-back’s signature hots up.
Pierre Sage’s Lyon have tabled an offer of £12.7m to Everton for Godfrey, who has one year remaining on his existing deal, whilst Atalanta have lodged a bid of £6.7m.
Everton are likely to sell the player before this Sunday, when clubs must declare their accounts for Financial Fair Play purposes.
Everton set to lose Ben Godfrey this week
With Godfrey rejecting a series of contract offers in recent weeks in pursuit of a new challenge [Football Insider, 12 June], Everton could cash in this week.
Whilst losing the defender will hurt Sean Dyche, the fee recouped may allow the Toffees further breathing space to hold onto in-demand assets such as Jarrad Branthwaite.
Football Insider reported on 4 June that AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund were both in the hunt for Godfrey, who is seeking a bumper contract at an important stage in his career, but Lyon have shown their initiative to make the first move.
The former Norwich City man has only made 28 Premier League appearances across the last two seasons, so could be seen as dispensable despite Everton expecting to make a loss on their purchase back in 2020.
It remains to be seen whether the exit of Godfrey will have any effect on the situation of Amadou Onana, who Dyche’s side may sacrifice in order to keep the likes of Branthwaite in blue [Football Insider, 21 June].
In other news, Keith Wyness expects Everton to agree a stadium naming rights deal very soon.
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