Ben Godfrey set to make immediate Premier League return just six months after Everton exit

Former Everton defender Ben Godfrey is in advanced talks over a move to Ipswich, talkSPORT understands.

The Englishman joined the Serie A team Atalanta of Everton in June in a £10 million offerbut he is now ready to return to English football after just over six months away.

Godfrey has been told that he can leave the Italian team and that he is no longer part of the club's plans.

Up to eight clubs have shown interest in the centre-back, with leeds and Tottenham among rumored possible suitors.

However, Godfrey is believed to be in favor of a move to Portman Road after being impressed by the manager. Kieran McKenna.

And the 26-year-old will surely be keen on a fresh start after his move to Italy fell short of expectations.

With Atalanta qualifying for this season's Champions League following their Europa League victory In May, this appeared to be the next progression in Godfrey's career.

But since he joined Lombardi's team, he has only played one league game and five in all competitions, all of them from the bench.

Most recently, he was left out of Atalanta's squad for their 2-0 Super Cup loss to Inter Milan on Thursday.

And with Ipswich having shipped the fourth-most goals of any Premier League team this season, Godfrey would certainly bring some much-needed experience to their backline.

After beginning his career at local club York City, he was signed by bitter rivals the Tractor Boys. Norwich in 2016 at 18 years old.

Godfrey's breakthrough season with the Canaries came in the 2018/19 campaign, where he featured in 31 league games and his team won the championship title.

3

3

Although Norwich were relegated from the Premier League the following season, the young defender impressed and signed for Everton in a deal that would rise to £25 million in 2020.

Godfrey spent four years at Goodison Park, making 93 appearances in all competitions.

He also made his greatest England He debuted during this time, having previously been international in the Under-20 and Under-21 categories.

The York native was named in Gareth Southgateof the provisional 33-man Euro 2020 squad, and made his senior debut in a pre-tournament friendly victory over Austria, despite ultimately failing to make the final 25-man cut.

Godfrey will no doubt face an entirely different challenge if he swaps Serie A leaders Atalanta for Ipswich.

Kieran McKenna's side find themselves locked in a relegation battle, sitting 18th in the Premier League table, after gaining promotion from the Championship at the end of last season.