Tottenham ready to step up Ben Godfrey pursuit
- Tottenham looking to sign new centre-back in January
- Everton's Ben Godfrey among targets for Ange Postecoglou and scouting team
- Teammate Jarrad Branthwaite a long-term option under consideration by Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur are prepared to push ahead with a move for Everton defender Ben Godfrey during the January transfer window, sources have confirmed to 90min.
Spurs are in the market for defensive reinforcements with their lack of depth at centre-back exposed in recent weeks.
After Cristian Romero picked up a three-match ban and Micky van de Ven sustained a two-month hamstring injury during last month's defeat to Chelsea, Ange Postecoglou has had to rely on Eric Dier, Ben Davies and full-back Emerson Royal as his centre-backs. In the three matches since, Spurs have lost twice and drawn once, conceding seven goals.
Part of the reason behind Tottenham's depth issues was the decision to sell Davinson Sanchez after the English transfer deadline to Turkish champions Galatasaray. Sanchez had impressed in Postecoglou's high line in pre-season, but Spurs' desire to kickstart a rebuild led to the Colombian being shopped around during the summer window and they eventually sold him for a fee of roughly £8m on September 4.
90min understands that one of Spurs' priorities during the January window will be to bring in a quick centre-back more suited to playing in Postecoglou's system, previously reporting that Godfrey had been added to their shortlist.
Tottenham scouts have been impressed by the two-time England international over recent years, but he has rapidly fallen down the pecking order at Everton since Sean Dyche became manager in January and is now determined to leave the club. Godfrey would be available for around £20m plus add-ons.
One defender who has usurped Godfrey in the Everton pecking order is 21-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite, who is also on Tottenham's radar. However, 90min understands he is viewed as more of a long-term target and the Toffees would resist a January sale regardless.
Godfrey has played just a solitary minute of Premier League football this season, while Branthwaite has made 12 consecutive starts and has been tipped for an England call-up in the near future.
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