TOTTENHAM are monitoring Norwich City centre-back Ben Godfrey with a view to signing him in the January transfer window.
Jose Mourinho is looking to shore up Spurs’ defence and English talent Godfrey, 21, could succeed experienced Belgian duo Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld at the back.
Both players are out of contract in the summer and although Mourinho wants to convince them to stay in North London, they can start speaking to foreign clubs in January.
Football Insider reports that Spurs could spend up to 25million on Godfrey to bolster Mourinho’s defensive options.
England Under-21 international Godfrey established himself in Norwich’s Championship-winning side last season after signing from York City in 2016.
The 6ft defender broke into Daniel Farke’s team in December last year and made 31 league appearances including 26 consecutive starts in the Championship.
Spurs inquired about Godfrey over the summer before the defender signed a new five-year deal with the Canaries in June.
His stock has risen after playing every minute of Norwich’s first 14 games back in the Premier League, with the club valuing him between 20-25million.
Norwich are 19th in the league and Godfrey may be tempted to escape the relegation zone mid-season with plenty of clubs keen to land his signature.
Manchester United were rumoured to be interested in signing Godfrey back in March after club legend Rio Ferdinand recommended the player to United bosses.
United were impressed with his ability on the ball but Tottenham now seems a more likely destination after Harry Maguire’s 85million move to Old Trafford in the summer.
At the end of last season Arsenal, Liverpool and Lyon kept tabs on Godfrey with the French side’s former sporting director Florian Maurice watching six of his games.
If Godfrey does earn a big money move hometown club York City could receive a six-figure sum as part of a sell-on clause.
Jackie McNamara, then manager of York City, spoke to York Press at the time of Godfrey’s move to Norwich for an initial 150,000.
He said: “There are a lot of incentives and conditions included in the deal that could make the club more money in years to come.”
