Pundit makes ‘massive’ new Everton signing claim after source’s Digne update today
Alex McLeish has suggested the signing of Vitaly Mykolenko could signal the end of Lucas Digne’s time at Everton.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Toffees “needed a refresh” and that the 22-year-old has “massive potential”
As revealed by a well-placed Football Insider source on Wednesday (5 January), Aston Villa have contacted Everton about a potential deal for Digne.
The Frenchman, who is valued at £30million by Everton, is in high demand across the Premier League, with Newcastle also interested.
As reported by BBC Sport on Saturday (1 January), Everton agreed a deal worth £17million, including add-ons, to sign Mykolenko from Dynamo Kyiv.
McLeish suggested the new arrival could clear the path for Digne to leave Goodison Park.
McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Everton certainly do need to be refreshed. It looked like they needed a refresh.
“The guys Rafa inherited have had some previous good results and performances but they haven’t really taken the next step.
“I think that’s the worry for Everton football club and Rafa at the moment. The man’s got a lot of experience. This is where he will need to show that experience in the transfer market.
“It does look like Digne is surplus to the plans. For Mykolenko, £17million, in this modern-day, is not a lot of money.
“Someone who’s got massive potential, it’s not a bad one. He’s only 22, a good age. The money for that sort of age, that sounds like good business if he matures into a Premier League player.”
Digne, 28, has not played for the Toffees since 1 December after a reported fallout with Benitez.
However, the France international was back on the bench for the 3-2 defeat to Brighton on New Year’s Day.
In other news, Everton rivals tipped to beat Aston Villa to Digne’s signing.