Plenty of Chelsea supporters on social media started shaking in anticipation after hearing some interesting news emerging from Everton.
Yesterday afternoon, the Toffees announced the signing of Nathan Patterson from Rangers in a deal worth £16m (Sky Sports).
Why did Everton sign Patterson?
Patterson has been brought in by Rafa Benitez to either provide cover at right-back for Seamus Coleman or take over from the captain.
The 20-year-old found starts hard to come by in his final season with the Gers.
In an attempt to work him into the side, Giovanni van Bronckhorst trialled him – rather unsuccessfully – at left-back.
This isn’t to say Benitez won’t try the same approach with the Scotland international at Goodison Park.
After all, he’d much rather play Patterson out of position than pick Lucas Digne, Everton’s senior left-back.
What does this mean for Digne?
With the new full-back arriving in Liverpool, it appears the final piece of the puzzle for Digne’s departure has been laid.
A development that has got Chelsea followers on tenterhooks.
It is no secret that the Stamford Bridge hierarchy are interested in recruiting the ostracised Frenchman, as they look to cover the injured Ben Chilwell.
Seemingly with one foot out of the door thanks to Patterson’s move from Rangers, Blues fans sniffed a golden opportunity to land their main man.
Here’s how they reacted to Everton’s transfer business on Twitter:
Chelsea offering a safe haven
Most players in Digne’s current predicament would leap at the chance of joining Chelsea.
His situation at Everton is probably not going to improve any time soon, therefore jumping ship would only seem logical.
He hasn’t played a Premier League game since the Merseyside derby defeat in the middle of December.
Benitez clearly doesn’t want him. The Blues do. Now it’s up to Digne – or his agent – to make the next step.
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