According to a report from Marca, Atletico Madrid are keen on acquiring the services of Lucas Digne, and their pursuit has been boosted by Aston Villa’s absence from the UEFA Champions League as well as the club’s need to cash in on players.
Digne has only gone from strength to strength since joining the Birmingham-based club from Everton in a deal worth £25 million at the start of 2022. He was one of the standout performers for Unai Emery’s team last season. The 31-year-old was involved in a total of 45 matches and even bagged seven assists.
The Frenchman’s consistent performances even helped him once again break into Didier Deschamps’s French team. Lucas Digne was called up for the UEFA Nations League finals after two years of absence from the national team.
While Lucas Digne remains an integral part of Emery’s plans, his future is uncertain amid interest from Atletico Madrid and with just 12 months left on his contract. The Colchoneros are on the lookout for a new left-back as Reinildo Mandava is set to leave the club at the end of the month.
Simeone wants a top-quality replacement, and Atletico Madrid have been linked with quite a few full-backs from across Europe. However, they see Digne as an ideal fit for their project and the manager’s system. With him entering the final year of his deal, Los Rojiblancos could secure his services for a cut-price deal, which certainly helps their cause.
While Aston Villa would be reluctant to part ways, Digne could push for a move following the club’s failure to secure Champions League football. The 31-year-old is eager to compete at the highest level to boost his chances of making France’s World Cup squad next summer, and a switch to Atletico Madrid is an appealing option.
Meanwhile, the Premier League club could be forced to sell players to compensate for the loss of income after missing out on the Champions League. With Digne’s contract running out, this is Monchi’s final opportunity to raise a decent amount from his sale. Since they already have Ian Maatsen as a capable replacement, Villa can certainly afford to lose Digne for the right price.
