Lucas Digne: Everton defender tells club he wants to leave amid interest from Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham

Rafael Benitez has confirmed that Lucas Digne has told Everton he wants to leave amid interest from Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham in the France left-back.

Napoli are also keen on striking a deal for the 28-year-old, though the Italian club are only interested in a loan deal with an option to buy, which does not fit with Everton’s demands.

There is also an unnamed fourth Premier League club that want the France international.

“He’s been very clear,” Benitez said. “I want to ask a question to every fan and former players – what Peter Reid would do if a player comes out and says he doesn’t want to be there?

“That’s it – simple. I’ve had a couple of conversations with him and he told me what he thought so what do you expect the manager to do when a player is thinking of leaving?

“Fans, former players, what Peter Reid would say if a player goes to a manager and says he doesn’t want to be here?”

Sky Sports News has been told Everton want around £30m for the player they signed from Barcelona in 2018.

Chelsea’s interest has reportedly grown since it was decided that left-back Ben Chilwell would undergo surgery on his knee ligaments, likely ruling him out for the remainder of the season.

Digne has been out of the Everton side after a much-publicised falling out with Benitez over tactics.

Everton have already signed Ukraine international Vitaliy Mykolenko as a replacement for Digne should he leave.

Could Digne leave Everton?
Sky Sports News’ Kaveh Solhekol

There were very strong words from Rafael Benitez on Lucas Digne. Benitez is normally quite guarded about what he says in the media, but he really was pulling no punches when asked about Digne today.

He basically accused the French left-back of not being a team player. He accused him of putting his own interests ahead of those of the team.

Obviously there is a big problem between the player and Benitez. Digne has not played for Everton since the Merseyside derby on December 1, so it doesn’t look like he’s got a future at Everton.

He’s actually told Benitez face to face that he wants to leave, and Benitez has come out and basically said to all Everton fans: ‘What do you want me to do in this position? This player says to me he wants to leave, and I know I can’t count on him, so I’m not going to pick him.’

The only problem Everton have got is they signed him three and a half years ago for £18m and they still value him at about £30m. Of course, it is well documented that there are quite a few clubs in the Premier League looking for a player in his position, but I don’t think any of those clubs are going to be spending £30m on a left-back this month.

Everton sign Nathan Patterson from Rangers

Nathan Patterson has completed his move from Rangers to Everton in a deal worth £16m.

The right-back has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract at Goodison Park and becomes the club’s second signing of the January transfer window following defender Mykolenko’s arrival from Dynamo Kiev.

“I’m over the moon to sign for Everton and looking forward to getting started,” Patterson told evertontv.

“It was an easy choice to sign. This is a massive club with huge history and the fanbase is tremendous. Obviously we aren’t in the place where we want to be right now but we can definitely get there with the talent in the changing room and staff here, and I have full belief we can do that.

“It is really exciting to come to a club that has huge talent in the team. I am going to work my socks off and hopefully I can do well with them in training and in games.

“It was also great for me knowing the manager really wanted me here and that made my decision. When a club really wants you, it makes your mind up early on.

“I wanted to come here from the very start. I’m delighted to be here and really looking forward to playing in front of the fans at Goodison.

“Long-term, I want to nail down a starting position and win some trophies to make the fans proud.”

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