Chelsea and Manchester City are reportedly starting to shift their attention to Everton star Lucas Digne in their search for a new left-back this summer.
ESPN report that Lucas Digne is now in the crosshairs of Chelsea and Manchester City. The former Barcelona man, who currently plies his trade for Premier League side Everton, is seen by the two giants as an alternative to the other targets they have been linked with so far as their search for a first-choice left-back continues.
Chelsea and Manchester City have had common targets for a while now, with the two clubs previously linked with Leicester City defender Ben Chilwell. There have been other names mentioned in connection to these clubs, but the chase has either cooled off or put off due to the ludicrous price tags imposed on the targets.
As far as Digne is concerned, his time at Barcelona could be considered a blip. Despite winning four trophies at Barcelona, the Frenchman is more remembered for the quality of football he showed during his time at PSG, which was a comparatively more successful period for the left-back.
Since his move to Everton in 2018, the 26-year-old has established himself once again as one of the more formidable left-backs in Europe. Everton seem to have found the perfect Leighton Baines successor in Digne, with his skill set mirroring that of the English veteran. It is no surprise that the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City have reportedly turned towards the former Barcelona man.
At Chelsea, Emerson Palmieri is reported to be preferring a move back to Serie A while Marcos Alonso has not been as impressive of late. Cesar Azpilicueta has found some form in his old position, but Frank Lampard would prefer signing someone for the left-back slot rather than put all his faith in Azpilicueta alone.
Pep Guardiola has seen all the arrivals at the left-back position falter, with Oleksandr Zinchenko the only one managing to impress in the role. Benjamin Mendy is too erratic and injury-prone to be considered a reliable option, which leaves the room open to another left-back.
While there is no mention of a price, both Chelsea and Manchester City are of the opinion that Digne will not be as expensive of a pursuit as Chilwell along with having more experience at the highest tier of club football. At 26, Digne would also love to return to the old normal – playing in the Champions League and competing for trophies.
The only stumbling block that might present itself would be if Digne is somehow convinced by the Don Carlo project brewing at Everton.
