Rangers are ramping up their transfer business with former Everton defender Ben Godfrey set for a high-profile move to Ibrox ahead of the upcoming campaign. The centre-back position is an area that has been severely lacking heading into next season, following the departures of key defensive assets whose loans have expired. New manager Derek McInnes has wasted no time in identifying and fixing the glaring holes in this squad as he eyes a massive rebuild designed to bring the Gers back to the very peak of the Scottish Premiership and challenge for silverware.
Godfrey, who famously earned two international caps for England earlier in his career, would certainly aid in those ambitious efforts at Ibrox. At 28 years old, the robust defender has plenty of experience in his tank across the highest levels of the game, while also still being in the absolute peak years of his physical career with Italian side Atalanta.
Negotiations between the clubs are understood to be moving quickly and quite straightforward, with the intricate details of the transfer now emerging alongside a general feeling of optimism from all parties about completing the deal before the squad returns for pre-season training.
The proposed agreement is expected to work perfectly for both Rangers and Ben Godfrey as they look to finalize the financial terms. Godfrey looks increasingly likely to become McInnes’ second major signing of the 2026 summer transfer window and Rangers’ third overall addition of the current market.
The Englishman would arrive through the door at Ibrox to follow in the footsteps of previous summer recruits Lawrence Shankland and Ross McCrorie, signaling a clear intent from the board to back the new manager with proven quality.
According to reports from the Daily Record, Godfrey is firmly set to make his move to Rangers ahead of next season and McInnes is highly “hopeful” that the remaining paperwork and details will be fully completed in the coming days. Rangers are not set to sign the Englishman on a permanent transfer deal just yet, with the proposed move instead said to be a season-long loan arrangement. This suits the current budget constraints while still delivering a marquee talent to the defensive line. Godfrey currently holds a long-term contract in Bergamo with parent club Atalanta until the summer of 2028.
The former Everton defender has spent his time contracted to Atalanta since his initial move to Italy back in 2024, but he has notoriously struggled to adapt to life in Serie A and the tactical demands of Italian football, making just one solitary league appearance for the club. His time abroad has consequently seen him become a regular traveler, embarking on three separate loan moves away from Italy to regain playing time, spending spells with English clubs Ipswich Town and Sheffield United, as well as a brief stint in Denmark with Brøndby.
This latest move to Scotland represents a fresh start for the defender and a major coup for the Glasgow giants. The centre-back position became an absolute priority for the recruitment team this summer after both Derek Cornelius and Nasser Djiga’s loans expired at the end of the term, leaving the backline completely depleted of depth and starting quality. McInnes recognized this vulnerability immediately upon taking the reins and put Godfrey’s name at the top of his defensive wishlist.
There is also a clear reason why Godfrey is viewed as a brilliant two-in-one signing for Rangers as they prepare for a gruelling domestic and European schedule. Although routinely known and deployed as a natural centre-back throughout his career, Godfrey’s physical attributes and tactical intelligence mean he could also help fill in vital numbers in several other positions across the pitch if injuries strike the squad.
The versatile former Everton man is entirely capable of playing as both a left-back and a right-back when required, helping to fill a massive void also left by the high-profile departures of long-serving captain James Tavernier and Max Aarons. Furthermore, while on a developmental loan to Shrewsbury Town during the 2017-2018 season, the 28-year-old played a vast majority of that specific campaign as a combative defensive midfielder. However, it remains highly likely he will be used across the immediate defensive line for Rangers rather than a midfield role he has not actively played in nine years.
If Godfrey does officially join the ranks at Ibrox, it would mean McInnes’ first two signings of this window have both shown a very clear level of tactical versatility on the pitch. It remains to be seen if this specific trait will continue to be a dominant theme for the recruitment team as the summer transfer window rumbles on and more targets are pursued. For now, the focus remains firmly on getting the versatile English defender through the medical process and onto the training pitch.
The general feeling surrounding Ibrox is one of relief that a player of Godfrey’s pedigree is willing to commit to the project. Winning back the Scottish Premiership title requires a robust backline that can withstand intense pressure, and Godfrey’s pace and strength are seen as ideal attributes for the physical nature of Scottish football. The negotiation process has moved smoothly precisely because the player is eager to kickstart his career and play regular football under a manager who truly values his skillset.
With the departure of veteran leaders like Tavernier, the dressing room is also in need of characters who understand the pressure of playing for massive clubs. Godfrey’s experience in the English Premier League with Everton ensures he will not be daunted by the intense media spotlight or the immense expectations of the Ibrox faithful. McInnes is building a side that balances technical ability with raw physical power, and the incoming Atalanta loanee ticks every single box for the tactical blueprint being drawn up behind the scenes.
As the administrative teams work to finalize the loan structures, wage contribution percentages, and potential option-to-buy clauses for the end of the season, Rangers fans are eagerly awaiting the official presentation. Securing Godfrey ahead of rival suitors sends a powerful message to the rest of the league that Rangers mean business this season. The squad overhaul is well underway, and McInnes is proving that he can attract top-tier talent to Glasgow to spearhead his new era at the helm of the club.
