Report: Club will demand £25m next month to sell ‘quality’ player considered by Chelsea

Add as preferred source on Google

Everton defender Lucas Digne will reportedly cost Chelsea £25million to sign next month.

According to the Athletic, Chelsea are considering a raid in the January transfer window for the 28-year-old.

The Blues may be forced into signing a full-back after it was confirmed yesterday that their left wing-back Ben Chilwell will require surgery on his knee injury.

It is understood that Everton are going to demand a transfer fee of around £25million to grant Digne’s sale. The player himself would welcome a move away from Goodison Park after falling out of favour with his manager Rafael Benitez.

In addition, a loan move to Stamford Bridge hasn’t been ruled out at this stage.

Chelsea should strike now

Yes, Digne is the man Chelsea need.

The Blues are starting to be linked with players from abroad, including Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico on Tuesday.

However, everything makes sense for Thomas Tuchel’s side to snap up a deal for Everton’s “quality” left-back.

Chelsea should get everything in place this week to complete a deal as soon as the January window opens and can be confident that Digne can replace Chilwell in the squad from now until the end of the season.

He’s tailor-made for a wing-back role with his attacking instincts, plus he’s crucially used to playing Premier League football.

The France international is ideal competition for Marcos Alonso.

For £25million, Digne may be worth a punt because he’s shown when on form he’s one of the best left-backs in the division. However, a loan with an option to buy would be the smarter play.

Keep up to date with all the latest Chelsea news and opinion by following The Chelsea Chronicle’s Twitter account here.