Ipswich in loan talks for Atalanta defender Ben Godfrey

Ipswich Town are in talks to sign Atalanta defender Ben Godfrey on loan.

The 26-year-old has played just 22 minutes in Serie A since making a free transfer from Everton last summer – and could now be set for an early return to the Premier League.

Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna is understood to be in talks with the player, with sources close to Godfrey saying the Tractor Boys are firm favourites, amid interest from other clubs.

Talks are believed to continue at the weekend after Atalanta made Godfrey available for a move, amid a positive start to the season, which has seen the club top of the league at the halfway point.

Godfrey has played a further 71 minutes in his other four appearances in all competitions, which include two outings in the Champions League, for the club who last season won the Europa League.

Ipswich, meanwhile, are 18th in the Premier League, but beat Chelsea 2-0 in their last game to close the gap on Wolves to a point as they look to escape relegation back to the Championship.