Aston Villa could be willing to sell Lucas Digne.placeholder image
Aston Villa could be willing to sell Lucas Digne. | AFP via Getty Images
Aston Villa could be open to offers for a defender valued at £10 million.
Crystal Palace must rush to action stations amid reports that Aston Villa have placed experienced full-back Lucas Digne on the transfer list this summer.
The Eagles are, UEFA ruling dependent, preparing for a season of Europa League football next year. Oliver Glasner will be hoping to compete across the continent but must add experience to his squad to do that.
Transfer rumours around Selhurst Park remain centred on outgoings with Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi courted by Premier League rivals. When it comes to incomings, bringing Digne to south London could be a wise move.
Crystal Palace must consider Aston Villa transfer swoop
TEAMtalk claim that Aston Villa are willing to sell the Frenchman as well as Alex Moreno this summer, with the latter expected to complete a switch to Leeds United. Digne is entering the final 12 months of his contract but it is thought that his exit could be given the green light if £10 million is offered to the Midlands club.
The outlet believes that Ligue 1 team AS Monaco and several clubs in Turkey are interested in signing Digne, but Crystal Palace should be in the mix too. The former Everton man is still Premier League quality and made 32 top flight appearances last season.
The full-back is known for his attacking work, which could work perfectly in Glasner’s wing back system. He’d arrive with Champions League and Europa Conference League experience thanks to his time at Aston Villa, which would be invaluable for Crystal Palace.
Digne’s wife Tiziri currently lives in London with their three children, which could help Crystal Palace’s cause should they reach out to gauge Digne’s interest in a move to the capital. The player has never turned out for a London club, with Everton his only side in the UK prior to Aston Villa.
Lucas Digne praised by Aston Villa manager Unai Emery
Speaking about the player last October, Unai Emery heaped praise on his professionalism and willingness to learn despite his experience. The Aston Villa manager said: "Lucas is really amazing in how he was doing his process here with us.
“When I arrived here, I was not happy with his performances. I was not happy and I told him in that moment, I needed more from him, and I needed more in everything. But he was having some moments being injured - his shoulder, his hamstring. But he was always being very demanding of himself to try to do everything I was asking of him. And just now we are two years since we arrive here.
"He is really being very competitive. He's been very demanding. He's adapting everything we were asking of him and it's a very good example for other players in how he is as a professional. I am impressed about how he accepted everything even when I was sometimes being very hard with him. He accepted and he was adapting in everything I was asking of him, and really he deserved to come back again with his national team. We are very happy for him. He's very happy, of course, and he's very competitive, and he wants more, more and more. And now he's playing again Champions League and of course, he's grateful to be with Aston Villa and our new way. And really he's a very good example."
In other news, Crystal Palace make 'formal offer' for £42.3m attacker with 14 goal contributions.
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