Everton's stance on Ben Godfrey confirmed as Carlo Ancelotti offers transfer update

Ben Godfrey wants to secure a move to Everton after the Blues made it clear the Norwich City defender is their first-choice target.

Everton are looking to bolster their options in defence before the close of the transfer window and Carlo Ancelotti has tonight described the 22-year-old as a "really good centre-back"

A move for the central defender has been discussed by the Blues' power-brokers but Ancelotti refused to say anymore when asked about Everton's interest.

Director of football Marcel Brands and head of recruitment Gretar Steinsson were both at Goodison this evening to watch Everton progress to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup after defeating West Ham United.

Norwich, relegated from the Premier League last season, are likely to demand a fee in the region of £20m for Godfrey and the player is hopeful the Blues can strike a deal with the Canaries.

Premier League clubs have until 5pm on October 16 to do business with EFL sides.

Everton, however, are continuing to insist that they are currently only looking at signing a player on loan, with Fikayo Tomori and Jean-Clair Todibo options as temporary recruits.

Tomori's potential release by Chelsea has become complicated but Barcelona are ready to do a deal for Todibo if the Blues make their move.

The ECHO has been told that Godfrey has emerged as the first-choice target but there remain discussions to be had about sanctioning the move, with a number of the squad's unwanted players still to be moved on.

Sandro Ramirez, Yannick Bolasie and a clutch of others have been made available and after the triple signing of Allan, James Rodriguez and Abdoulaye Doucoure, the club made it clear they must begin trimming the squad.

And Everton said a new defender would be pursued on loan but it appears as though the availability of Godfrey, a player Ancelotti admires, have given the club reason to explore the possibilities of doing a deal with Norwich.

Ancelotti said: "We are looking for a centre-back, we are short there.

"Godfrey is a really good centre-back but he plays, in this moment, for Norwich. I cannot say anymore."