Town are in discussions with Atalanta regarding the loan signing of former Norwich City and Everton defender Ben Godfrey.

Whispers regarding the Blues’ interest in the 26-year-old had been circulating for a couple of days and Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano is reporting that discussions regarding a loan deal are ongoing. We understand that that is the case.

Godfrey, who plays at centre-half or right-back, joined Atalanta for £11 million but has made only one appearance in Serie A and had been linked with a return to England with Tottenham among those reported to be interested.

York-born Godfrey started his senior career with his hometown club, having spent time as a youth player at Middlesbrough, before moving on to Norwich City, with whom he won the Championship title in 2018/19 having also spent time on loan at Shrewsbury.

In the summer of 2020 he moved on to Everton and during his spell at Goodison Park he won two full England caps, adding to his appearances at U20 and U21 levels.

Town have always seemed likely to be in the market for a player in the mould of Godfrey to compete for Axel Tuanzebe’s right-sided defensive role.

An overseas loan doesn’t count towards the two player limit in the Premier League, which affects only domestic loans.

Photo: IMAGO/Steinsiek.ch via Reuters Connect

budgieplucker added 16:45 - Jan 3 To be honest as much as I really like Axel Tuanzebe I would be reluctant to offer him anything more than a one year deal at a time, which probably is going to be a significant sticking point in summer renegotiation. The truth is along with Hirst and Broadhead their fitness records are very poor questioning the value we get from their contracts. Again as much as I like all 3 players who add quality to the squad, I might be inclined to manage their contracts to a point where we can release or sell them having acquired more robust replacements. I don’t know Godfrey or have a view on him but, Harry Clarke and Ben Johnson have both for me shown to be weak links at this level.

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Town_Jewells added 16:50 - Jan 3 Signing Godfrey would provide a bit of flexibility. He could play as the RB or, if he were to play CB, that would free up O'Shea to play RB.
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Pique added 17:40 - Jan 3 Zx1988 - before the first paragraph was amended to reference Everton, Godfrey was described as a former Norwich City and Middlesbrough defender. He never made an appearance for Middlesbrough, so it looks like that was a mistake, hence the correction. He was, however, a youth player with them when he was very young, which is still referenced in the article.
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grow_our_own added 17:59 - Jan 3 Johnson is great on the ball, but he runs like he's on a treadmill covered in quicksand. Oppo wingers target him because they know they can breeze past. Can certainly never play Johnson at RB in a four IMO. Clarke is better defensively, but neither as good as Axel. Loan makes sense.
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ipswichboi added 18:52 - Jan 3 Axel starts when fit, whoever we sign.
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churchmans added 19:03 - Jan 3 Can't get hard over this! Do we need a CB? I readvan article with the boss quoting 'we are after young talented players that we can improve and work with' I took that as an omari/delap young age! We shall see
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Ipswichbusiness added 20:32 - Jan 3 I have never seen him play, but I understand that he is principally a centre-back who can do full-back in an emergency. It seems to me that we have enough centre-backs; wide right, centre midfield and up front are more important.
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BobbyBell added 13:41 - Jan 4 This is a sensible move as we need cover and once this window closes that's it. Injuries and suspensions will happen. I don't care who he has played for in the past as I believe KMK will improve him. There is already massive envy on the Pinkun forums thinly disguised with ridiculous comments so an ex Canary in our squad would make their message board even funnier to read.

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