Leicester City could have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of one player in the early stages of the January transfer window.
For the Foxes to survive in the Premier League, Ruud van Nistelrooy will need to navigate through a successful winter window.
Leicester head into the clash against Aston Villa with the league’s joint-worst defence after conceding 42 goals, and it’s therefore no surprise to see them eyeing several centre-backs.
Van Nistelrooy was linked with Man United’s Harry Maguire but since he’s now signed a new contract at Old Trafford, a move is now off the cards.
Maguire isn’t the only English defender they’ve placed on their radar as one player currently plying his trade in Italy has taken their fancy.
Ipswich Town want to sign Leicester target Ben Godfrey on loan
It was reported last month that Leicester wanted to sign Ben Godfrey from Atalanta.
The defender has only played 22 minutes of Serie A football this term, despite only arriving from Everton for £10 million in the summer.
Now it’s emerged that Atalanta are willing to let Godfrey leave in January, potentially handing van Nistelrooy a boost in the race to sign him.
However, those hopes could have come instantly crashing down as Ipswich Town are in talks over a loan deal for the 26-year-old, per transfer journalist Ben Jacobs on X.
Godfrey, who spent four years at their East Anglian rivals Norwich City, could prefer a move back to a place he knows well.
This isn’t great news for anyone associated with Leicester as the former Toffees defender would be strengthening a rival in the battle against relegation.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 18 |  IpswichIpswich | 19 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 18 | 33 | -15 | 15 |
| 19 |  LeicesterLeicester | 19 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 22 | 42 | -20 | 14 |
Kieran McKenna’s men are currently one point and one place above the Foxes, with this transfer perhaps giving them the upper hand.
Godfrey would be perfect for Ruud van Nistelrooy
A loan move emerging as a possibility for Godfrey gives van Nistelrooy even more reason to snap him up alongside his excellent defensive attributes.
Rio Ferdinand once described Godfrey as ‘outstanding’ for his electric recovery pace and ability to deal with fast attackers.
The Englishman is also adept at reading the game while timing his tackles perfectly in duels against the opposition.
Ben Godfrey’s defensive statistics per 90 in the past year
- 2.44 tackles
- 1.18 interceptions
- 1.18 blocks
- 4.54 clearances
- 2.02 aerials won
Further, with Caleb Okoli potentially leaving this month and both Conor Coady and Jannik Vestergaard no longer excelling at the top level, van Nistelrooy would be silly not to rival Ipswich for Godfrey.