talkSPORT pundit Danny Mills has questioned Lucas Digne’s intentions amid reports linking the Everton full-back with Manchester City and Chelsea.
Digne moved to Goodison Park in the summer of 2018 as part a three-man raid on FC Barcelona carried out by Director of Football Marcel Brands, who agreed to pay £18million for the Frenchman.
The left-back went on to be named as the club’s Player of the Season and also handed the Players’ Player of the Season award after his debut campaign, which featured the most accurate crosses (83) and second-most key passes (71) in the Premier League by an Everton player.
He has gone on to better his record this term, with a team-high 58 key balls and 57 accurate crosses in 25 top-flight appearances, and his efforts are said to have piqued the interest of Manchester City and Chelsea.
According to 90min, Pep Guardiola’s Citizens and Frank Lampard’s Blues are mulling over potential summer bids for the £90,000-per-week full-back, having been informed that Leicester City would demand around £100m for Ben Chilwell.
Mills is in no doubt of Digne’s talents to warrant interest from two of the Premier League’s big six clubs, but feels Everton have every chance of retaining the 30-cap international.
“Lucas Digne will have huge respect for Carlo Ancelotti,” Mills told Football Insider. “He is a fabulous player with great ability.
How much would Digne be worth in the summer?
Under £25m
£25-50m
£50-75m
£75m+
“It depends on whether this fifth place is opening up for the Champions League. Is he going to want to go to Manchester City if they are not going to be in the Champions League?
“Is he happy at Everton? It looks like he is. Everton have money and they are a very good club, being run very well. The owner, the sporting director, the manager – there is a long-term plan and with a new stadium in the not so distant future, Everton have every chance of fighting off those big clubs.”
Per 90min’s report, Digne is being eyed as a potentially cheaper alternative to Chilwell by Man City and Chelsea as they are both looking to solve issues at the left-back position.
Both clubs have scouted Digne this term as part of their continued checks and could test Everton’s resolve in the summer.
Digne would not be that much cheaper, though, as the Daily Mail claimed back in December that Toffees chiefs value the full-back well in excess of £70m and were aiming to tie his future down with a new contract.
While a new deal is yet to be announced, Digne is still under contract until the summer of 2023 and it will certainly take a substantial offer for Brands or Ancelotti to allow him to leave early.
Digne has provided six assists and one goal over his 29 appearances in all competitions this season.
In other Everton news, the club are continuing to scout one of Carlo Ancelotti’s January transfer targets.