Former England and Leeds United right-back turned pundit Danny Mills has told Football Insider that he expects Everton’s Player of the Year Lucas Digne to leave Goodison Park within the next month, and join Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs were linked with a move for the French left-back in June, as the North London side began scouting potential additions they could target if Danny Rose were to move on in the current market.
It was claimed Everton informed Mauricio Pochettino’s side that they would need to pay a substantial figure and hand over Rose’s services if they were to snatch Digne from our clutches a year after joining from Barcelona, with Toffees chiefs confident his market value has doubled.
But if Spurs were to oppose Rose’s inclusion in a deal for Digne, Marcel Brands and Marco Silva may turn their efforts to Celtic and target Kieran Tierney’s as Digne’s replacement with the significant funds we would then have.
Tottenham no longer appear afraid of spending substantial figures if it means acquiring their top targets, as they recently smashed their club record to land Tanguy Ndombele from Olympique Lyonnais for €60million (£53.8m), with add-ons potentially taking the deal to €70m (£62.8m).
It would be unlikely that Daniel Levy would offer anywhere near that for Digne, no matter how highly-rated the French international defender is valued by those on Merseyside. Mills evidently rates the 25-year-old considerably, too, as he would not be surprised if he were sold for £40million.
“The merry-go-round has been given a big push by the Ndombele and [Jack] Clarke deals, and I’m expecting Tottenham to be busy for the rest of the window,” Mills said.
“There is talk of Lucas Digne going to Tottenham to replace Danny Rose if he leaves. There could be something in that, and it’s one to keep an eye on as a late window deal.
“He has been brilliant [for Everton]. He’s now worth £40million, more than double what they paid.
“He is technically very good, excellent going forward, and knows how to defend. He’s going to get even better as he gets more used to the Premier League.”