Norwich City Will Always Want to Forget £8.5m Everton Transfer That Backfired Badly
Norwich City are known for smart recruitment, nurturing young talents like Emi Buendía, Todd Cantwell, and Max Aarons before selling them on for significant profit. But not every deal proves to be shrewd business—and one transfer in particular still haunts the club’s faithful: the ill-fated £8.5 million sale of Ben Godfrey to Everton.
While the figure appeared to represent good value at the time, what followed left Norwich City questioning whether they had let go of a long-term defensive cornerstone too soon, and whether the Toffees ultimately got more out of the deal than the Canaries bargained for.
A Deal That Seemed Right… At First
In October 2020, Norwich sanctioned the sale of Ben Godfrey to Everton for a reported fee of £25 million, including add-ons. On paper, it looked like good business. Godfrey had impressed in the Championship and was seen as a top young prospect, but Norwich had just been relegated from the Premier League and were in need of funds.
However, what many forget is that Norwich’s original investment in Godfrey—reportedly around £8.5 million when add-ons and bonuses are factored in—could have gone much further had they retained him for another season or two. Godfrey’s form at Everton soared initially, even earning him an England call-up, while Norwich’s defensive frailties became painfully clear during their immediate promotion campaign and subsequent Premier League return.
The Fallout
Without Godfrey, Norwich’s defensive unit struggled for consistency and leadership. Frequent chopping and changing in the backline led to a porous defense that conceded goals at an alarming rate in the top flight. While Grant Hanley and Christoph Zimmermann were valiant servants, neither possessed the all-around attributes that Godfrey brought: pace, composure, aerial strength, and versatility.
Meanwhile, Godfrey became one of the few positives in a struggling Everton side, earning plaudits from fans and pundits alike for his commitment and calmness under pressure. The contrast was glaring—Norwich, who had unearthed and developed the gem, were watching from afar as he matured elsewhere.
Was It Worth It?
While £25 million is no small amount, it could be argued that Norwich cashed in too early. Had they kept Godfrey, he could have been the bedrock of a more sustainable Premier League campaign. Instead, Norwich found themselves relegated again, with a leaky backline and a fanbase wondering what could have been.
The funds were reinvested, of course, but few of the subsequent signings had the same impact. That’s the risk of selling early—sometimes, the potential hasn’t even peaked yet.
A Lesson for the Future
With Norwich now looking to rebuild under Liam Manning, the Godfrey saga stands as a cautionary tale: don’t let go of a gem before it shines brightest. While no club can turn down good money forever, patience in player development can sometimes yield even greater rewards—both on the pitch and at the bank.
The £8.5m they spent and the timing of the sale may never sit comfortably with Norwich fans. As far as transfers go, this is one they’d much rather forget.
