Everton full-back Lucas Digne is on the verge of completing a big-money move to Premier League side Aston Villa. Meanwhile, the Toffees are keen on Villa winger Anwar El Ghazi, but the two sides haven’t discussed a straight player swap, reports The Athletic.
As per Sky Sports, Aston Villa are on the verge of signing the Frenchman. The left-back fell out of favor with Toffees manager Rafa Benitez and asked for a move away from the club – as confirmed by Benitez himself. Villa obliged Everton by offering them 25 million for the player’s services, and he will now undergo a medical before officially completing the transfer.
Chelsea, too, have been credited with an interest in Digne in the past weeks following the confirmation of Ben Chilwell’s lengthy injury lay-off. However, the Blues decided to concentrate their efforts towards recalling Emerson Palmieri from his loan at Olympique Lyonnais. Newcastle United were also reportedly keen on the Frenchman.
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Digne signed for Everton from FC Barcelona in 2018 and, in the three-and-a-half years since, has been a key player for the Toffees. He will become Villa’s second signing of the winter, following the arrival of Philippe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Everton have approached Aston Villa with a separate offer for winger Anwar El Ghazi, reports the Athletic. The two clubs have discussed both a permanent and a temporary loan deal for the Dutchman and are in advanced negotiations over his exchange. Everton’s preference, as is reported, is towards a loan deal until the end of the season.
El Ghazi has fallen down the pecking order at Villa after the arrival of Steven Gerrard. The manager has also brought former teammate Coutinho to Villa Park, further impacting El Ghazi’s first-team chances. The 26-year-old has added just six games this season to his list of Villa appearances, currently in the low hundreds.
Should he join Everton, El Ghazi will become the Toffees’ third capture of the winter transfer window. The Merseyside club previously strengthened both their full-back positions by signing Vitalii Mykolenko and Nathan Paterson from Dynamo Kyiv and Rangers, respectively.
