Everton outcast Lucas Digne could return to Barcelona in transfer twist
Everton could allow out-of-favour full-back Lucas Digne to return to his previous club Barcelona if a replacement is signed.
El Nacional report that a return to Camp Nou under Xavi could end Digne’s transfer saga after the Frenchman was frozen out by boss Rafa Benítez.
Reports on The Telegraph earlier today (Thursday) suggested that Digne is more than likely to leave the club in January as the manager looks to raise funds to sign players.
El Nacional journalist Laura Alonso reported yesterday (Wednesday) that Barcelona could be an option.
Alonso said: “One possibility that has gained momentum in recent days is to bring back Lucas Digne, who was already for two years at Barça, which came precisely from PSG. He didn’t have much continuity, but whenever he played, he did well.
“He ended up leaving for Everton, where he has been one of the best in the entire Premier League, and was one of the stars of the team. The problem is that he does not have a good relationship with his coach, Rafa Benítez, who has taken him away from the dynamic. That’s why he wants to leave, and Laporta can take him back.”
Damage limitation
Multiple reports daily suggesting Digne’s departure from Goodison Park are surely indicative of a definite sale in the January transfer window.
Many teams have been linked with his signature in recent days and, with the former Paris Saint-Germain defender exiled by manager Benítez, it seems the only sensible option.
With 22-year-old replacement Vitaliy Mykolenko already signed and sealed, getting Digne off the books at Goodison will certainly be a priority for Everton in the winter window. The club were limited to spending just £1.7million in the summer, reeling in the spending after splashing the cash in previous campaigns.
With so many suitors, both in the Premier League and abroad, it seems highly unlikely that Digne will remain at the club and that he will even be seen again in an Everton shirt.
Whether Mykolenko is a suitable replacement for the pacey Frenchman is yet to be seen but Everton supporters will surely be eagerly awaiting his January arrival from Dynamo Kiev in his homeland of Ukraine.
In other Everton news, The Athletic’s Greg O’Keeffe gives updates on youngster’s future.