Exclusive: Star ‘close’ to signing for Leeds United in late Everton exit

We are excited to have Paul Robinson, a former England custodian, join us as an exclusive columnist. Paul will provide his thoughts on the main topics at Leeds United each week.

Paul Robinson believes a Leeds United move for Ben Godfrey is now “close” and he will make a “very, very good” addition to the squad.

The Everton defender has emerged as a Whites target during the January transfer window as Daniel Farke aims to sign a player he knows well from their time together at Norwich City.

With reinforcements needed across the defence before the deadline Robinson is “absolutely” in support of a move for the 26-year-old, who can provide cover for all of those places, but he is conscious it may be a negative development for youngster Charlie Cresswell if a Godfrey deal is now finalised.

The Toffees star has played in just three games across all competitions under Sean Dyche’s direction. Farke has also had to deal with injuries to Junior Firpo, Sam Byram, and Pascal Struijk this season, as well as Archie Gray’s recent absence. Djed Spence and Luke Ayling were released by the team this month.

“I think Godfrey would be a good signing because he can play anywhere across the back four and he can play holding midfield,” Robinson exclusively told MOT Leeds News.

“You look at the back four, Struijk’s been out injured for a while now so Liam Cooper came in and played alongside Joe Rodon in the FA Cup at the weekend, and that’s an area that they haven’t got a huge amount of strength in depth.

“You wonder where that would leave Charlie Cresswell if he did come in, but he’s a player with great experience who the manager knows very, very well.

“If what I’m hearing is right I think the deal’s close for him and I think he’d be a very, very good addition. There’s no point in signing players in January just to hoard them when they’re not going to make a difference, but he’s a player who can play in multiple positions.

“He can even play in the problem left-back position that they’ve had all season. Byram played there at the weekend but again it’s been an issue for them.

“He’s a player that I’d like to come into the squad between now and the end of the window, absolutely.”