EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey
Nottingham Forest have truly defied expectations this season.
Having only narrowly avoided relegation to the Championship last season, the Garibaldi now sit fourth in the Premier League under Nuno Espirito Santo – ahead of Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United.
Despite that, Evangelos Marinakis – who poached Edu Gaspar from Arsenal – is not resting on his laurels at the City Ground, and is keen to bolster Nottingham Forest in January.
Now, sources have informed TBR Football that the Reds are interested in Ben Godfrey – who Everton allowed to leave for Atalanta in an £11m deal back in June.
Nottingham Forest target January deal for Ben Godfrey
TBR Football have been told that Nottingham Forest are on red alert as the Englishman could leave Bergamo this winter.
Godfrey is yet to actually start a game in any competition under Gian Piero Gasperini this season, playing just 22 minutes of Serie A football as Sead Kolasinac, Odilon Kossounou and Isak Hien impress in a back three.
As a result, Nottingham Forest are showing interest in a potential January deal, although Nuno’s side are not alone in admiring the 26-year-old.
TBR Football are aware that Wolves, Brighton, Brentford and Crystal Palace are also fans of Godfrey, and would be interested in pursuing a January deal if Atalanta made the centre-back available.
Ben Godfrey of Atalanta BC looks on prior to the Serie A match between Bologna and Atalanta at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on September 28, 2024 in Bol...
Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images
Leeds also like the Atalanta No.5 – but a deal would only be possible in the summer if Daniel Farke achieves promotion to the Premier League.
However, it sounds as if the man born in York will only leave Bergamo in January if an irresistible bid is made.
Sources have informed TBR Football that Atalanta are happy with Godfrey – who Carlo Ancelotti admires – despite his lack of playing time, taking into account that it took Ademola Lookman around 12 months to settle in Italy.
Lookman is now one of the best around – finishing 14th in the latest Ballon d’Or rankings after an outstanding 2023/24 campaign.
TBR Football are also aware that Godfrey himself is content in Bergamo – understanding that Atalanta are playing well and Gasperini has little need to alter his defence, with the Italian outfit sitting top of Serie A at the time of writing.
Everton could secure cash injection from Ben Godfrey in January
If Atalanta do end up selling Godfrey in January, Everton could receive a welcome injection of cash thanks to a sell-on clause.
According to Joe Thomas of the Liverpool Echo, a sell-on clause was negotiated between the Toffees and Atalanta last summer, although the exact value of this agreement is unknown.
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