Boost for Tuchel as 28-year-old Frenchman prefers Chelsea move over PL rivals

Transfer News: Everton star Lucas Digne prefers move to Chelsea in January

According to 90min (h/t Mirror), Everton full-back Lucas Digne is understood to prefer a move to Chelsea in the January transfer window. Chelsea have been linked to Digne over the past few weeks after it was revealed that left-back Ben Chilwell was ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury.

The French international is looking to leave Everton in the coming days after a fall-out with Toffees manager Rafa Benitez, and has barely featured for the Merseyside club since their argument.

With Newcastle United also interested in signing the Everton defender, it is now understood that Digne is not interested in moving to the Tyneside club at this point in time and instead favours a move to London.

Everton are ready to sell the 28-year-old full-back, having already signed a replacement in Dynamo Kyiv’s Vitaliy Mykolenko, though the clubs interested in Digne are looking for a loan move for the defender.

Digne to Stamford Bridge?

The news about Digne preferring a move to Chelsea comes as a transfer boost for the Blues, who have lost both Reece James and Ben Chilwell to injury, and are short in the full-back position. Marcos Alonso remains the only natural full-back in the Chelsea squad, which means the London club are one injury away from a defensive crisis.

Chelsea are not the only ones interested in snapping up Digne however, as West Ham United and Leicester City are also keen on acquiring the services of the French international. Digne is therefore considering his options on a move in January.

News about Digne favouring a move to Chelsea would excite fans, as everyone who follows the Premier League would be somewhat aware of the French left-back’s abilities. Boasting a crafty left foot, the Everton man is a threat to opposing defences when whipping in crosses from the left.

We would love to see Digne put in some of his trademark crosses on a plate for Lukaku and Werner, who would relish in front of goal with such service. He has experience of playing in the PL with the Toffees and in Spain with Barcelona. Over his career, he has shown his pedigree to be a top player down the left-hand side of the defence.

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It certainly is an exciting time to be a Chelsea fan, with us being linked to top players as replacements for our injured stars and not just players who could act as stop-gaps till the end of the season. Furthermore, with our defensive injury crisis, signing experienced players like Digne is the need of the hour to finish the season strongly.

We cannot, however, afford to celebrate anything just yet until there is official confirmation from the clubs. The earlier we can get the deal over the line, the better.