Norwich City boss Daniel Farke has confirmed Ben Godfrey missed training on Friday to finalise a move to Everton.
The Blues are in advanced negotiations with the Canaries with the ECHO understanding they are confident of completing a £25m deal for the centre-back.
And Farke has offered an update on the 22-year-old's future ahead of Norwich's clash with Derby this weekend, confirming he is in advanced talks with Everton ahead of a club-record deal and won't face the Rams.
"I can’t confirm a deal is done yet. What I can confirm is that Ben has trained the whole week with us and was in our plans for Derby," Farke said. "He trained on Thursday but then during the evening there was some progress on the work in the background and what I can confirm is Ben did not train today.
“He won’t be with us for the Derby game. I can confirm that.
“He is in advanced, or more than advanced talks, with his agent and a club. If I have to judge it right now it is pretty likely the deal is done in the next hours or days.
"If not, I would be happy because I have the best centre back in the division. If not, then I cannot confirm sums but it will be a club record transfer fee for Norwich City."
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And Farke had a message for Everton ahead of Godfrey's move, making a big prediction about the defender's future.
"Whoever signs Ben Godfrey can be unbelievably happy," he said. "It is no coincidence he is captain of the England Under-21s.
"This club has had some decent players in the past so to be rated the biggest transfer fee for a figure that is on the world level says everything about his potential.
“He had a lot of competition on the centre back positions but for me he played the most minutes of any centre back here. It says a lot about his development.
"I don’t need to speak about his strengths or where he can improve. I am pretty sure he will play for best clubs in the world one day and he has the potential to captain England. That is what I wish for him.
“He is one of the best centre backs in the world in terms of potential. I was happy to be able to work with him. I would like to work further on with him."
He continued: “It is always a compliment when the biggest clubs in this country look at our players. We should feel proud and it shows we have definitely done something right.
"(It's) pretty likely we now lose the best centre back. It doesn’t help me in the short term. That is why I would never want to sell.
"I don’t want to earn the biggest money in this country. I am highly motivated to win football games and you stand a better chance with all your top players. But it is a sign of quality work. I am not naive.
“The only self-funding club must listen to crazy offers and then make a decision. On the short, mid and long term this club is on a good page. It is a proud day to be a Norwich supporter. But as a head coach I have more than one tear in my eye. It doesn’t make my life easier.
“For all parties this is a good move.”
