Everton have made a bid for Barcelona defender Lucas Digne, according to the Mirror.
The outlet report that the Toffees have made an eight-figure offer of just over £22million for the left-back, who is seen as Leighton Baines’ long-term replacement.
The report reveals that the Spanish club aren’t actively looking to sell the Frenchman, who has a £53million release clause in his contract at Barcelona (Mirror), as he’s the club’s only back-up for first-choice left-back Jordi Alba.
It is understood that the 25-year-old, who only made 20 appearances in all competitions for the Catalan club last season, is unsettled at Camp Nou due to his lack of playing time and subsequent exclusion from the France World Cup squad this summer.
Good signing for Everton?
This would be a terrific purchase.
The club need to secure a replacement for the ageing left-back Leighton Baines, who’s been a magnificent servant to the club but at 33-years-old, time is not on his side.
The French left-back would be an unbelievable signing for Marco Silva ahead of next season, he’s got everything you’d want in an attacking full-back and is also strong defensively.
He ticks all the boxes, and more for Everton.
This is Futbol rating 9/10
Likely to happen?
If the above report is correct and FC Barcelona don’t want to sell Digne, it could make it very difficult for the Toffees to pull off this signing, no matter how much they offer.
The Catalan club may need to find a replacement first before they would sell the 25-year-old, which would cause massive delays in the potential transfer.
However, with the Frenchman reportedly keen on leaving Camp Nou, they should have little difficulty in convincing him to move to Goodison Park to be first-choice.
This is Futbol rating 6/10