Lucas Digne
Lucas Digne
Aston Villa defender Lucas Digne is reportedly an alternative transfer target for Spanish giants Atletico Madrid this summer, if the dominoes don't fall into place in their bid to bring Andy Robertson to the club.
Villa left-back Digne, 32, has been at the club since January 2022 when he joined under Steven Gerrard and, in the time since, he has been pretty much a constant first choice when he's been fit despite competition from Alex Moreno and Ian Maatsen.
Dutch international Maatsen did end the campaign strongly and is in line to become Digne's successor at left-back in the long run. With Digne only having a single year left on his contract, though, Villa could listen to offers this summer, if they land.
Atleti, who have signed former Villan Clement Lenglet on a permanent basis this summer and have bid farewell to veterans Cesar Azpilicueta and Axel Witsel, are after another left-back in the transfer window and Diego Simeone has targeted Reds defender Robertson.
Liverpool are expected to recruit Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth, who are holding out for as much as £45m if they're to part with him. Should that deal go through as expected, and with Kostas Tsimikas also on Arne Slot's books, Robertson will be permitted a move away after eight years at Anfield, reports The Times.
Alternatively, though, Atleti are weighing up a move for French international Digne, who has been away with his country recently. He said while away: "I feel very comfortable there [at Villa], but you know that in football anything can happen. I'm open to anything. When there's only one year left on my contract, everyone plays their part."
Digne came close to leaving for Nice a couple of years ago but ultimately stayed put and has remained an integral part of the success which Unai Emery has brought to the club, helping Villa to a third consecutive campaign in Europe in the process.
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