Chelsea to battle PL clubs for Everton outcast in January
Chelsea are among the Premier League clubs plotting a move for Everton’s Lucas Digne in January, according to reports.
Digne is said to have fallen out with Toffees boss Rafa Benitez and the club have already agreed a deal for his replacement, with Ukrainian left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko set to swap Kiev for Merseyside on January 1.
Digne is a fan favourite at Goodison Park and has consistently impressed since joining the club in 2018, making 125 appearances.
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His time appears to be up, though, having failed to make the squad for three successive matches. After Digne was reported to be ill, Benitez said: “I have to be sure the players that will be there tomorrow want to be there, and they want to fight for the club and that’s it.”
According to The Sunday People, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Leicester are all looking to take advantage of the situation and could prepare moves in January.
Newcastle have £50m to spend after their Saudi-backed takeover, with the PIF ready to support Eddie Howe in his attempts to stave off relegation.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are seeking cover for the injured Ben Chilwell, while Leicester are currently relying on 20-year-old Luke Thomas to hold the left flank. Digne’s price tag has not yet been named.
The French international might not be the only Everton player heading for the exit next month, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin potentially on his way out as well.
Arsenal, who are without their first-choice striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after he was banished by Mikel Arteta, have been linked with a move for the 24-year-old.
Calvert-Lewin scored 16 times in the league last season but is currently injured with a fractured toe. Paul Merson has urged his former club to make the striker’s signing a priority.
“Arsenal need to go out and buy Calvert-Lewin and put in a massive bid for him,” he said on Sky Sports. “They need a focal point up front who is good and strong.
“It’s the Arsenal. Where would he go? He can’t stay at Everton. Are they bigger Arsenal? Tell me a reason they are bigger club than Arsenal?
“Arsenal are going to finish above them, if Calvert-Lewin goes there they could get in the top four, surely? He holds the ball up.”