Leeds launch loan transfer bid for Everton defender Ben Godfrey after £10m Atalanta move collapses

LEEDS have made an official loan approach for Everton’s Ben Godfrey.

SunSport revealed Godfrey, 25, saw a £10m move to Serie A club Atalanta collapse this month as a result of the abolishment of favourable tax break rules in Italy.

Getty

Godfrey’s move to Atalanta has fallen through[/caption]

But Everton boss Sean Dyche has given the green light for the centre-back to leave Goodison Park as the club look to reduce their wage bill and help their case towards FFP rules.

The tax law, officially known as Crescita Decree, has been abolished.
The law allowed high income earners from foreign countries a 50 per cent tax bill discount.

Previously, it has been a big attraction for overseas players to join and increase the competitiveness in Serie A.

The Crescita Decree is remarkably similar to the ‘Beckham Law’ in Spain, which allows high-income foreign earners to pay just 24 per cent income tax for their first six years in the country.

Beckham took advantage of it following his move from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2003.

But the Italian equivalent no longer stands after discussions in the Italian Council of Ministers have led to the rule being binned, making Godfrey’s potential rule too expensive for Atalanta.

Godfrey has struggled for game time this season and has made just three appearances in all competitions for Everton, including only one Premier League start.

Godfrey, who has 18 months left on his deal, has made 80 appearances for the Toffees since signing from Norwich in 2020 for £25million.

The Sun

Ben Godfrey has struggled for minutes this season[/caption]

CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

He has not featured regularly for Everton, however, since a broken fibula forced him to miss the opening half of last season.

Daniel Farke’s fourth placed Championship side are eager for new additions this month as Leeds push for promotion straight back to the Premier League.