Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he is a big admirer of Norwich City’s Ben Godfrey - and Everton is in the market for a new centre back.

Ancelotti revealed how highly he rates the England Under-21 international, who is being heavily touted with a potential £25m move to Merseyside, after the Toffees’ impressive start to the season continued on Wednesday night with a 4-1 League Cup win over West Ham.

Talks are underway to thrash out a move with the transfer window closing on October 16. Godfrey according to the Liverpool Echo has now emerged as Everton’s number one target after being frustrated in attempts to lure Chelsa’s Fikayo Tomori on a loan deal.

Ancelotti told reporters at Goodison Park after his side’s League Cup win: ‘We are looking for a centre back. Godfrey is a really good centre back but is playing for Norwich and I cannot say anything.’

Everton reportedly need to offload fringe players to push ahead with a deal for Godfrey, with City firm in their valuation of the powerhouse defender.

Ancelotti’s post-match comments came after conflicting reports in media outlets over the previous 24 hours suggesting Everton were only interested in a loan with an option.

That is a non starter at Carrow Road, as Barcelona discovered when they made an approach for Max Aarons.

Norwich have five senior centre backs on the books with Ben Gibson recruited from Burnley on a season long loan move with an option to buy should the Canaries seal promotion this season.

Godfrey is under contract at Norwich until 2023, with an additional one year option, after signing a longer term deal in July 2019.

The 22-year-old has been linked with a host of clubs in England, Germany, France and Italy during the close season.