Everton tipped to sell Digne after medical gets underway – Whelan
Noel Whelan has insisted it would be beneficial for Rafael Benitez and the Everton dressing room if Lucas Digne is sold next month.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the “world-class” 28-year-old could have an unfavourable “character defect”.
According to Fabrizio Romano (17 December), Digne could depart Everton in January if a “good proposal” arrives.
Meanwhile, the journalist reports Ukraine international left-back Vitaliy Mykolenko has completed a medical ahead of a move to Goodison Park in January.
This news comes with Digne on the fringes at Everton after a fall-out with Toffees boss Rafa Benitez.
Whelan insisted potential suitors for the France international will be “licking their lips” over the potential of completing a deal.
“Only time will tell whether it will be a mistake to let him go,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“I love him, I think he’s a great player. As a wing-back, box-to-box, there’s not many better than him in that position – he’s world-class.
“The quality of delivery he has is so valuable when you have someone like Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the receiving end.
“Sometimes you can’t afford to lose certain players, but if they’re not going to give the manager what he wants – it can be best to get rid. If it’s a character defect, then it can benefit the dressing room to cut him loose.
“Someone will be licking their lips about picking up on Everton’s misfortune, but at the end of the day, it’s the manager’s decision. If he’s not going to do as asked then it’s best to get rid.”
Digne signed for Everton in 2018 for a reported £18million.
The Toffees sit 14th in the Premier League.
In other news, Everton tipped to sign five top-class players in January after Farhad Moshiri update.