Chelsea ‘most likely destination’ for 28-year-old star after Inter pull out of transfer race

Transfer News: Chelsea frontrunners to sign Everton defender Lucas Digne

According to Inter Dipendenza via Sport Witness (h/t Football.London), Inter Milan have pulled out from the race to sign Lucas Digne, handing Chelsea a significant advantage. 

Lucas Digne has developed into a consistent player for Everton in the last few seasons. The 28-year-old defender even earned the captain’s armband during the starting phase of this season. The French star’s career seemed like it was on the up since he left Barcelona for the Toffees.

However, a recent fallout between him and the Toffees manager Rafael Benítez have put his future at Goodison Park in danger. The former Barcelona player hasn’t featured in a single match after December 1 and is currently eyeing an exit in the January transfer window. 

Inter Milan and Chelsea have been heavily linked with Digne. But it is believed that the Nerazzurri do not have any intentions to pursue the 28-year-old in the winter transfer window.

Digne to Stamford Bridge?

The exit of the Italian club from the race would surely strengthen Chelsea’s hope of luring the defender to West London. It is believed that Stamford Bridge is the ‘most likely destination’ for the French star.

Injury problems have provided a massive blow to Thomas Tuchel’s intentions of competing for the title and it was further underlined when Reece James struggled with fitness issues during the game against Brighton. Ben Chilwell’s injury is well known at this point and in his absence, we require someone to deputize for him.

Can Marcos Alonso be that man? It can’t be said for certain because the former Fiorentina wing-back has failed to impress this season, courtesy of which he largely lost his starting spot to Chilwell.

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Moreover, the Spaniard isn’t getting any younger so Digne could well compete with the England international for a place down the left-hand side in the years to come. The need for a player like Digne is certainly there.

Now, it is on Marina Granovskaia’s board how they manage to convince him, but the competition has heavily decreased, and this could be the right moment to strike.