Why Everton should do everything to keep hold of Lucas Digne amid interest from Nice

According to a report from French publication Le10Sport (h/t Liverpool Echo), Everton full-back Lucas Digne has emerged as a transfer target for Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice ahead of the summer transfer window.

Having progressed through the youth ranks at LOSC Lille, Digne broke into the first-team and made a huge impression. As a result, he was snapped up by Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2013.

His time at the club wasn’t a huge success though, as he found it difficult to establish himself as a first-team regular. In two years at the club, Digne made 44 appearances, assisting five goals. Having failed to make an impact, Digne was loaned out to AS Roma in 2015.

Having produced a return of 3 goals and 3 assists in 42 matches, Digne prompted Barcelona to sign him up in 2016.

However, the 26-year-old couldn’t displace Jordi Alba as the first-choice left-back at the club. Having made only 46 appearances in two years, Digne signed for Everton in the summer of 2018.

Digne’s rise at Everton

Since joining the Toffees, Digne has developed into one of the best full-backs in the Premier League. In his debut campaign with the Merseysiders, the 26-year-old missed just three league outings, finishing with an impressive return of four goals and assists each.

Digne has carried on from where he left off last season, even though Everton have struggled to maintain consistency on the field. Prior to the season getting suspended, the Frenchman had missed just two league games, and had produced five assists in 26 matches.

No Everton player has created more goals this term than the 26-year-old. In addition, he also has a goal and an assist each in the Carabao Cup. The fact that he has captained the team for a number of games this term highlights his importance and status at the club.

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Hence, parting ways with him in the summer amidst interest from OGC Nice would be ill-advised for Everton. More so, considering that the only other left-back in the squad is a 35-year-old Leighton Baines. If anything, the Toffees should recruit another left-back this summer, not offload one of their most important players.

Verdict

Digne has grown into one of the most pivotal players at Everton in the last two years. So much so that, he has been named captain on several occasions this season. Hence, selling him to Nice this summer would be a move wrought with risk for Carlo Ancelotti & co.