Spurs steal march on Wolves and Nottingham Forest in £10m transfer race

Spurs have steered ahead of Wolves and Nottingham Forest in the transfer race to sign an England defender.

Football Insider is reporting that the North London club have made an approach to Atalanta to sign Ben Godfrey. Spurs have reportedly been in contact with the Serie A outfit as they bid to address their defensive problems.

It is understood that Spurs have lodged a loan offer which would see Godfrey play the second part of the 2024/25 season back in the Premier League. He only joined Atalanta in the summer having been sold for a fee in the region of around £10m.

Wolves and other clubs interested

It was reported by the Daily Mail last week that Atalanta would be open to loan offers for the centre back. Nottingham Forest and Wolves were said to be among four clubs interested in the former Norwich City defender, as well as Leeds United, but that a move to Elland Road would only happen in the summer if the Whites were to win promotion to the Premier League.

A day later from the Mail’s report, The Boot Room reported that Atalanta were ‘happy’ with Godfrey and that a departure from the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia would be unlikely. It would take an ‘irresistible’ offer for them to consider parting ways with the two-time England international after just a few months. Godfrey hasn’t played much football since joining Atalanta, but is said to be content with his role so far in Italy.

Ben Godfrey’s credentials

The 26-year-old is capable of playing as a centre back or a full-back, which is why Wolves were interested. In the 17 games they have played this season, Wolves have conceded 40 goals, the most of any team with Leicester City and Southampton conceding three and four fewer.

Godfrey began his career at his hometown club York City, and made 15 appearances for the Minstermen in League Two before being signed by Norwich City, where he would after a season be loaned out to Shrewsbury Town in League One. In 2018, he played a part in helping Norwich win promotion to the Premier League and had a season of top-flight football with the Canaries.

Everton signed him for a reported £20m when Norwich got relegated, and he ended up making 93 appearances for the Toffees over four seasons. He has so far made five appearances for Atalanta since joining but is yet to start a game. Godfrey came on as a substitute on the opening day of the season in Serie A, but hasn't made a further appearance in the league since.

He has played in the Coppa Italia and the Chmpions League however, though he missed the game against Arsenal and was an unused substitute versus Celtic.