Everton close in on £25m signing of defender Ben Godfrey from Norwich

Everton are close to completing the £25 million signing of Norwich defender Ben Godfrey.

Carlo Ancelotti is set to sign the England under-21 international in the next 24 hours after an improved bid was accepted by the Championship club on Thursday evening.

Norwich rejected Everton's first proposal of £20 million plus a further £5 million in add-ons, but a second offer closer to £25 million up front has been enough to offer Godfrey a Premier League return. It is understood the fee is £25 million plus add-ons which could take the overall fee towards £30 million.

The 22-year-old made 30 appearances for Norwich in the top-flight last season and will become the second high-profile exit of the summer after Jamal Lewis's £15 million switch to Newcastle.

Everton have prioritised the signing of a new centre-half following injuries to Mason Holgate and Jarrad Braithwaite, and Godfrey's reputation remains relatively high despite Norwich finishing bottom of the Championship.

Ancelotti has pushed for the signing of Godfrey ahead of Chelsea's Fikayo Tomori, who has been cleared for a loan move away from Stamford Bridge.

Godfrey was a £150,000 signing from York City in 2016 so his sale represents a huge profit for Norwich, who are targeting promotion under head coach Daniel Farke. He is expected to have a medical at Everton on Friday.

Max Aarons, the right-back, was the subject of strong interest from Barcelona last month before the La Liga club signed Ajax's teenage defender Sergino Dest.

Midfielder Todd Cantwell is of interest to Leeds United but no bid has been made yet.