It might be the January transfer window but Leeds United are already putting plans in place for the summer in case the club get promoted to the Premier League, and one target is a Serie A defender.
Either way this summer, whether Daniel Farke achieves promotion with Leeds or not, there will be change. Go up, and you can expect Leeds to be busy in the transfer market in terms of bringing in some players.
Failure to get promoted and Farke is more than likely to go, while a handful of key players will also look at a summer change. The likes of Wilfried Gnonto, Illan Meslier and possibly even vice-captain Pascal Struijk.
But Leeds are planning it seems, for all eventualities including promotion to the Premier League and one player on their radar in case of promotion almost joined this month – before choosing Ipswich Town.
Ipswich Town confirm signing of Ben Godfrey from Atalanta
England international Ben Godfrey is well-known to Farke, having given Godfrey his debut while together at Norwich City. Last summer, he joined Serie A title hopefuls Atalanta from Everton on a permanent deal.
But that was not after Leeds wanted to sign Godfrey. In Italy, Godfrey has struggled for game time, just five appearances to his name and less than 100 minutes of action under manager Gian Piero Gasperini.
Now, Ipswich have confirmed the signing of Godfrey on loan from Atalanta until the summer, though there is no mention of a permanent clause. Leeds tried to land Godfrey before Ipswich struck a deal.
Indeed, Graeme Bailey has told LeedsUnited.News that Farke was “close” to a reunion with Godfrey. It is even said that Leeds will reignite their interest in Godfrey in the summer, if the club do get promoted.
“Leeds love Godfrey and were close to getting him, the player respects them but the chance to play for six months in the Premier League was understandably hard for him to turn down,” Bailey told LUN.
“Leeds remain keen on him and am told, if and when promotion is confirmed, Godfrey is one of the players already in their sights,” the transfer expert continued, in what would be an incredible move.
What Daniel Farke has said about Ben Godfrey in the past
So, the former Everton defender is now at Ipswich on what appears to be a dry loan until the summer. But when that loan comes to an end, Leeds will throw their hat into the ring if Farke and Leeds are promoted.
Speaking about Godfrey back in 2019 not long after handing the centre-back his debut at Norwich, Farke said that he is a centre-back who plays without mistakes and is capable of improving, as per TalkSPORT.
“The best centre-backs in the world, at 19 and 20, they will have made mistakes. The best ones learn. Ben is playing without mistakes. That is outstanding. He is a pretty emotional player and I like that a lot.
“He is capable of finding another gear. If we are losing or having a difficult period,he starts to get the red mist we had to calm him down. Now he is able to calm himself down, to focus and control his emotions.”
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