Everton ‘expected’ to sell Digne as Goodison medical gets underway – pundit
Noel Whelan has suggested Everton are preparing to get rid of Lucas Digne as they reportedly close in on signing Vitaliy Mykolenko.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the ongoing rift between Digne and Rafael Benitez may have accelerated the Toffees’ hunt for a new left-back.
As reported by journalist Fabrizio Romano on Friday (December 17), Mykolenko, 22, is set to join Everton from Dynamo Kyiv for around £17.8million (€21million).
The 22-year-old has reportedly agreed personal terms and underwent the necessary medical tests on Friday.
Whelan suggested Everton may have initially seen Mykolenko as a backup for Digne.
However, he admitted the Ukraine international may replace the Frenchman instead.
“Well, there are two ways of looking at this, aren’t there?” Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“I think it says there is a relationship breakdown between Digne and Rafa Benitez. It seems to me that it might be untenable to carry on and this is the replacement for Digne.
“Or they’re looking for backup and it’s a player that you just can’t afford not to get at a certain time. To me, i expect it seems more like the first one there.
“I think there’s been a relationship breakdown between manager and player and they’re looking to fill that void you know, whether he stays at the club in January or not.”
Digne has been left out of Everton’s last three matchday squads after a reported falling out with Benitez.
Mykolenko has been a mainstay for club and country since breaking through the youth ranks at Dynamo Kyiv.
He has 21 caps for his country and started all but one of Ukraine’s matches at this summer’s European Championships.
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