Tottenham Reject Ben Godfrey Move; Target Three Bigger Names in January Window
Tottenham Hotspur have made a surprising decision in the winter transfer market, rejecting the chance to sign England international defender Ben Godfrey. Despite the player being offered to the club, Spurs have opted not to pursue a deal for the 26-year-old, who has struggled to secure a spot in Atalanta’s lineup after his move from Everton. This move comes amidst reports of Tottenham planning a busy January window, with several high-profile players under consideration to bolster key positions, particularly the centre-back role.
Tottenham, under the guidance of manager Ange Postecoglou, are expected to be one of the busiest clubs in this transfer window, with the board showing their full support for the Australian coach. Given the significant injury crisis in defense, including the absences of key players like Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, Postecoglou is seeking reinforcements. Ben Davies, who has been primarily used as a left-back, is now being repurposed as a centre-back, but even he has been sidelined due to injury.
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Ben Godfrey, once seen as a promising talent at Everton, had hoped his move to Atalanta in the summer would lead to more playing time. However, the versatile defender has found himself marginalized at the Italian club, making just five substitute appearances. Atalanta’s decision to sign additional defenders, such as Odilon Kossounou, has further reduced Godfrey’s chances of breaking into the first team. With his 27th birthday approaching, Godfrey is eager to find a new club where he can revive his career.
Although Godfrey was made available by Atalanta this month, Tottenham has decided to look elsewhere for defensive reinforcements. Instead, the North London club is reportedly targeting higher-profile players, including Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton, Ko Itakura from Borussia Monchengladbach, and Milan Skriniar from PSG. Branthwaite, who impressed last season, would not come cheaply, with Everton reportedly valuing him at £70-£80 million. Itakura, who moved to Monchengladbach in 2022, has become a regular fixture in their defense and is now on Tottenham’s radar.
However, the most likely move could be for Milan Skriniar. The 29-year-old Slovakian defender, once regarded as one of the top center-backs in Serie A during his time at Inter Milan, has had a difficult spell since joining PSG in 2023. PSG is reportedly eager to offload him in January, and Tottenham might find his acquisition more feasible than some of the other targets. Despite his age, Skriniar would bring instant experience and leadership to Tottenham’s defense, though the cost of around £29 million remains a significant hurdle.
As Tottenham continue to assess their options, they are also considering moves for other potential signings, including Fikayo Tomori from AC Milan and Brighton striker Evan Ferguson. With the January window now open, Spurs are expected to make several moves in the coming weeks to strengthen their squad and address the injury crisis that has affected their season. Despite rejecting Ben Godfrey, Tottenham’s ambition to secure a top-tier defender this month remains high.
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