Liverpool are reportedly planning a summer swoop for Norwich City starlet Ben Godfrey, who has previously been linked with Manchester United as well.
As per an exclusive report from Football Insider, Premier League leaders Liverpool are considering making an offer for Norwich City youngster Ben Godfrey in the summer transfer window. The versatile defender has also been linked with Reds’ arch-rivals Manchester United in the recent past.
Having come through the youth ranks at York City, Godfrey made the switch to Norwich City back in January 2016 and went on to make his first-team debut a year later. The 21-year-old spent the last season away on loan at Shrewsbury Town where he made a solid impression and has gone on to become a key part of Daniel Farke’s side this term.
So far in the 2018-19 campaign, Godfrey has featured in 27 matches across all competitions, scoring and assisting two goals apiece. The Englishman hasn’t missed a single Championship game since December last year, helping the Canaries to the top spot in the second division.
An extremely versatile operator, Godfrey is primarily a centre-back but can easily slot in as a defensive midfielder as he did for most parts last season with Shrewsbury, while he can also play on the left-side of the back four. It is this versatility and adaptability that is helping him gain a lot of admirers, with Liverpool joining the list.
The report from Football Insider claims that as per a club source, Liverpool recruitment chief Michael Edwards has told the club scouts to make regular visits to Carrow Road to keep an eye Godfrey’s development. The Reds are believed to be planning a £10 million approach for the 21-year-old in the summer transfer window.
Given the success that the likes of Joe Gomez and Andrew Robertson have had in the past year, Liverpool are hoping that Godfrey too could go on to become a hit at Anfield.
Along with Liverpool, Manchester United too have been linked with a move for the talented Englishman recently. The Red Devils are in the market for defensive reinforcements, although it is hard to see Godfrey slot into the starting XI at Old Trafford right away.
However, given the immense promise and potential that Godfrey has shown, the 21-year-old can be groomed for the future, while his versatile nature would also enable Manchester United to use him in the holding midfield role as well.
Godfrey is contracted with Norwich City till the summer of 2022 and the Canaries have no interest in selling their prized asset as per the report. However, the overtures from big clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United could force their hand, even if they end up getting promoted to the Premier League for the next season.
