Leeds United submit official bid to sign Ben Godfrey as green light given to Everton manager Sean Dyche

Leeds United have made an official loan bid for Everton defender Ben Godfrey amid a collapsed deal with Atalanta this January, according to The Sun.

The newspaper reported via its website [28 January] that the 26-year-old's £10million move to Serie A has collapsed due to the abolishment of favourable tax break rules in Italy.

It is understood that the Toffees and Sean Dyche have given the green light for Godfrey to leave Goodison Park this month as the club look to avoid any further punishment from the Premier League over FFP rules.

A good option

Godfrey's move to Leeds looks well and truly on, giving Daniel Farke another option in defence alongside Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Liam Cooper.

However, this could be curtains at Elland Road for current defender Charlie Cresswell, who was involved in the matchday squad against Plymouth for just the second time since November.

Although Godfrey is understandably frustrated with his lack of playing time under Dyche, it is unlikely that the centre-back will get any more at Elland Road, considering Ethan Ampadu's recent exerts in the position.

With just one centre-back in the squad in recent weeks, Farke chose to deploy the Welshman in defence and sacrifice his midfield presence rather than use Cresswell. Obviously, there are other factors in Cresswell not playing but it still shows Farke's stubbornness to keep the same players in this starting XI.

To have Godfrey to fall back in, though, especially with an extremely busy upcoming schedule, he will be a welcomed addition to the Leeds squad. He may lack match sharpness but his talent is still there, proven during his Premier League cameo against Burnley in December.

In other Leeds United news, the club are in advanced talks over a new signing.

For more Leeds news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.