Everton full-back Lucas Digne is reportedly ready to join Chelsea in January, with Thomas Tuchel reportedly keen on his services.
According to 90 min, Chelsea have received a massive boost in their pursuit of Lucas Digne. The 28-year-old Everton defender is currently the club’s priority target as they look for a new left-back in the upcoming January transfer window.
Recent reports suggested Chelsea have already held talks with Digne’s representatives regarding a potential move. And it appears the French international himself is now keen on joining the Blues next month and is relishing the opportunity to represent Thomas Tuchel’s unit during the second half of the campaign.
Chelsea’s desperation to sign a new left-back is hardly surprising as the club was recently dealt with a massive blow surrounding Ben Chilwell. The Englishman requires a knee surgery that should effectively rule him out for the rest of the campaign.
While Tuchel does have Marcos Alonso as a potential alternative, the Spaniard’s hot and cold form in the Premier League, coupled with interest from Napoli, has forced the Chelsea manager to look for options in the market.
Digne has emerged as the preferred option, especially after the Frenchman fell out with Rafael Benitez. The Everton manager has already informed the board that he has no wish to include the 28-year-old left-back in his first-team plans, with the club already closing in on his replacement in the form of Vitaliy Mykolenko.
Chelsea are looking to take advantage of Digne’s precarious situation at Goodison Park to potentially snap him up in a cut-price deal. It is apparent that Tuchel rates the Frenchman highly due to his technical knowledge of the game and his experience of English football.
That said, the Blues have no shortage of alternatives in case the deal falls through. The reigning European champions have already considered the possibility of signing Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico while struggling Barcelona full-back Sergino Dest has emerged as a potential alternative.
Chelsea are also open to recalling Emerson Palmieri or Ian Maatsen, who is currently enjoying a splendid season on loan at Coventry City. But it goes without saying that Tuchel will certainly push for the capture of Digne, as the 28-year-old French defender has what it takes to not only provide cover for Chilwell but also take his role as Chelsea’s first-choice left wing-back.
