Lucas Digne could join Inter Milan on a part-exchange deal, with the Serie A champions reportedly considering offering Matias Vecino to Everton.
According to a report by Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by Sempre Inter, Inter Milan could propose a bizarre loan swap deal to sign Lucas Digne in the January transfer window. The Serie A champions are prepared to offer Matias Vecino to Everton to secure the services of the French left-back.
Lucas Digne joined Everton from Barcelona in August 2018 and immediately established himself as a key figure for the Toffees. At the same time, the Frenchman became widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League while also reclaiming his berth in the French national squad.
To date, the 28-year-old has amassed 127 appearances for Everton, chipping in with six goals and 20 assists in the process. However, Digne has been relegated to the sidelines since falling out with Rafael Benitez, with his fate being sealed following the Merseyside club’s capture of Vitaliy Mykolenko this month. The Frenchman’s situation has alerted several European bigwigs, including Inter Milan.
The Serie A champions are scouring the market for a viable left wing-back addition to the squad. That is because Simone Inzaghi intends to utilise Federico Dimarco exclusively as a centre-back. This leaves Ivan Perisic as the only option for the left wing-back role in the Inter Milan squad.
So, the Nerazzurri must seek a solution to their issues concerning the position, which explains the interest in Digne. And it has now emerged that Inter Milan could offer Everton a bizarre loan swap deal to secure the services of the 28-year-old French defender in the January transfer window.
The Toffees could be offered the chance to sign Matias Vecino on loan for the remainder of the season, with Digne heading to Inter Milan on a similar transfer. Interestingly, Vecino has been linked with several Premier League clubs for a January move, including potential big-spenders Newcastle United.
However, Everton could do with someone like Vecino amid the inconsistencies of their midfielders this season. As for Digne, the Frenchman could get a new lease of life at Inter Milan, and the Serie A champions could well sign him permanently in the summer when Perisic is poised to depart San Siro. It will be interesting to see if Everton will be receptive to a loan swap offer if presented by Inter Milan.