Big guns lurk but Godfrey best served by staying put

Not many weeks go by without a Ben Godfrey transfer story cropping up.

Name a top club and the Norwich City youngster has been linked with them, which perhaps isn't surprising when young, English talent is at such a premium.

Manchester United were the latest club to be touted with the 21-year-old whilst Maurcio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp are also reported to be admirers of the former York City man.

Godfrey was one of the many successes of City's Championship title winning campaign, forming a partnership at centre half alongside Christoph Zimmermann that provided a platform for some of the sumptuous football the Canaries treated their fans to last season.

He is part of the Norwich City 'boyband' as they have become known around Colney, which also consists of Jamal Lewis, Max Aarons and Todd Cantwell.

No City supporter wants Godfrey to become the 'Robbie Williams' of the group this summer and you would hope the player has got people around him to point out that it would be very hard to match what Norwich can offer in the Premier League in the forthcoming season when it comes to his development.

If swelling the bank balances of the youngster and his team of advisors is the priority then clearly a move to a top-six club would out-strip anything Norwich are willing to offer at the moment.

Godfrey's last Norwich contract, which runs until 2022, was signed last summer, before he had made such an impact on the first team at Carrow Road.

It was a show of faith from the Canaries hierarchy at the time and reward for impressing whilst on a season-long loan at Shrewsbury.

But perhaps his advisors, which also reportedly includes Rio Ferdinand as a mentor, feel Godfrey deserves an improved deal given the part he played in City's rise.

It's not the message that sporting director Stuart Webber has got although it wouldn't be the first time that a club and a young player's 'people' weren't on the same page.

Godfrey is a talent… but he has had just over half a season in the Championship and to challenge for a starting spot at a Champions League level club, and the scrutiny that entails, would be an enormous jump to make.

Under Farke he has the German's trust and is guaranteed to get a chance to demonstrate his top flight ability next season. A Premier League club cannot say the same with any credibility.

Getting the odd run-out in the League Cup or a Champions League dead rubber would feel like a step back at this career juncture.

Godfrey doesn't seem the sort to doubt his ability and you would hope that confidence doesn't evade him this summer, grabbing the first opportunity that comes his way.

If he can exercise a bit of patience, show with City that the Premier League is a suitable stage for his talent, then he could name his price next summer.

He then gets the life-changing contract, the first of a couple given his youth, and City get the big fee they deserve for the part they have played in his growth.