Latest developments
- Tottenham Hotspur want to sign former Everton man Ben Godfrey.
- Godfrey has not settled into life at Atalanta.
- Nottingham Forest are also tracking the England international.
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3/5): News comes from transfer specialist
Tottenham are the latest club to offer Ben Godfrey a route out of a difficult time in Italy, and are lining up a bid to rival Nottingham Forest for the Atalanta defender.
That is the word of journalist and transfer correspondent Pete O'Rourke, writing on footballinsider247.com, who has not given his source information away, but is certainly well-connected.
Value (3/5): Atalanta want a refund
It was something of a surprise to see the UEFA Europa League winners sign Godfrey for £10 million in the summer on a five-year deal.
He has since made five appearances in all competitions, made zero starts and 22 minutes on the opening day has been his only Serie A involvement. Clearly this move has not worked out and Atalanta will want a refund. A sum of £10 million would not be considered overspending for Spurs, given his £8.25 million market valuation.
Suitability (3.5/5): “Wrong” end of the table
The 26-year-old has featured in over 100 Premier League matches and will be accustomed to playing a back four in North London, as he did on Merseyside.
A relegation battler with Everton and Norwich City, he has struggled in his first fight at the top end of a league table. Perhaps the same will be true at Spurs?
Upgrade? (2/5): Spurs need a defensive fix
Spurs have been leaking goals of late, which is little wonder given their “entertaining” style and the fact that Micky van der Ven, Cristian Romero and Ben Davies are all out injured.
Godfrey can provide extra cover, but unless he gets off to a flier he is unlikely to hold down a regular place in Ange Postecoglou's side.
Logic (2.5/5): Better PL options out there?
News broke last week that Forest were also interested and the same issues regarding being an upgrade apply there, too.
Wolves are another side who have been mentioned and if Godfrey is admired by their new manager, they could be considered a better fit for a player seeking stability.
Whisper+ verdict: 14/25
This move would provide a short-term fix for injury-hit Spurs and a quick escape from Italy for Godfrey, but the long-term aims for all involved seem non-existent.
