Nottingham Forest have defied expectations this season.
After nearly avoiding relegation to the Championship last season, the Garibaldi are now fourth in the Premier League under Nuno Espirito Santo, above of Manchester City, Tottenham, and Manchester United.
Despite this, Evangelos Marinakis, who signed Edu Gaspar from Arsenal, isn’t resting on his laurels at the City Ground and is looking to strengthen Nottingham Forest in January.
Sources have told TBR Football that the Reds are interested in Ben Godfrey, who Everton allowed to go for Atalanta for £11 million in June.
Nottingham Forest target January deal for Ben Godfrey
TBR Football has learned that Nottingham Forest is on high alert since the Englishman may leave Bergamo this winter.
Godfrey has failed to start a game in any competition under Gian Piero Gasperini this season, playing only 22 minutes of Serie A football while Sead Kolasinac, Odilon Kossounou, and Isak Hien excel in a back three.
As a result, Nottingham Forest are interested in a possible January transfer, however Nuno’s team is not alone in admiring the 26-year-old.
TBR Football understands that Wolves, Brighton, Brentford, and Crystal Palace are all fans of Godfrey and would be interested in a January transfer if Atalanta made the centre-back available.
Leeds also want the Atalanta No.5, but a transfer would only be possible in the summer if Daniel Farke is promoted to the Premier League.
However, it appears that the man born in York will only leave Bergamo in January if an appealing offer is presented.
According to sources, Atalanta is pleased with Godfrey, whom Carlo Ancelotti admires, despite his lack of playing experience, given that Ademola Lookman took around a year to adjust in Italy.
Lookman is now one of the finest in the world, earning 14th in the most recent Ballon d’Or rankings following a standout 2023/24 season.
TBR Football is also aware that Godfrey is content in Bergamo, realizing that Atalanta is performing well and that Gasperini has little need to change his defence, since the Italian club is currently leading Serie A.
Everton could secure cash injection from Ben Godfrey in January
If Atalanta sells Godfrey in January, Everton might benefit from a sell-on clause, bringing in much-needed funds.
According to Joe Thomas of the Liverpool Echo, the Toffees and Atalanta agreed a sell-on clause last summer, although the exact value of the arrangement is unknown.
