Negotiations are progressing for a major Aston Villa transfer exit.
Atletico Madrid are reportedly stepping up their interest in Aston Villa left-back Lucas Digne and have entered discussions to sign him.
Diego Simeone is determined to add depth and quality on the left side of defence as Cesar Azpilicueta and Reinildo Mandava are out of contract this summer and are expected to depart. Atletico have been looking at Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson, who they believe could fit into Simeone’s demanding and aggressive style of football, though he’s not the only option.
It was reported last week and over the weekend that Atletico were planning an approach for Digne as an alternative to Robertson. Now it appears the La Liga giants have decided to kick on with a swoop as Football Insider reports talks are underway with Digne’s representatives.
The report suggests Atletico are preparing an opening bid of £8 million to sign Digne and that the player is keen on the move. Villa are said to be eager to cash in on Digne as he’s entering the final 12 months of his contract but are waiting out for an offer of around £10 million to give the green light.
Will Aston Villa let Lucas Digne leave?
The final point from the report may not be too accurate as Birmingham World understands Villa are reluctant to let Digne leave. Despite being under pressure to sell players to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR), the Villans aren’t pushing for Digne to leave. Instead, Unai Emery’s side are looking to offload the likes of Emiliano Martinez and Leon Bailey, hoping to rake in significant transfer fees for the pair.
Digne leaving still isn’t impossible, however, as he’s one of the highest earners at Villa Park and may need to be sold for a different reason. Not only are Villa walking a fine line with PSR, but the UEFA squad cost rules (SCR) are also proving to be tricky to follow. Clubs in UEFA competitions can spend a maximum of 70 per cent of their revenue on player wages and Villa are currently on track to fail in that regard.
Unai Emery outlines Lucas Digne transfer preference
So, then, Digne could theoretically leave if Atletico were to make an approach but it’s still unlikely. Emery would much prefer to keep Digne as the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain defender has been rotating effectively with Ian Maatsen at left-back. There aren’t many better crossers of the ball in the Premier League than Digne, either, so he’d be a big loss.
Since joining from Everton for £25 million in 2022, Digne has racked up 138 appearances for Villa, more than he has for any other club in his career. The 31-year-old has scored four goals and provided 17 assists in those matches, with his most productive campaign in a creative sense being his most recent.
With just one year left on his Villa contract, Digne’s time in B6 could be coming to a close. Whether it’s this summer or next summer that he leaves awaits to be seen. It could also depend on just how much Atletico are willing to offer.
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