Everton head coach Rafa Benitez has confirmed Lucas Digne has asked to leave the club this January.
Digne, 28, last featured for Everton in the side’s Merseyside derby defeat to Liverpool at the start of December and rumours have been circulating that the France international has had a falling out with Benitez over his role in the squad.
Though Digne is tied into a deal at Goodison Park until 2025, it appears likely the defender has played his last match for the Toffees, with Chelsea, Newcastle and Serie A champions Inter Milan all credited with an interest and monitoring developments.
Recent reports claimed Chelsea had identified Digne as one of their top targets after first-choice left-back, Ben Chilwell, was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with a serious knee injury.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday afternoon, Benitez made it clear there was no love lost between himself and Digne, using Everton legend Peter Reid as an example to criticise the Frenchman’s attitude.
‘I think it was very clear,’ Everton boss Benitez told reporters when asked for an update on Digne’s situation.
‘I want to ask the question to every fan and former players – what Peter Reid will do and say when a players says he does not want to be there. It’s there, simple.
‘A couple of conversations with [Digne], he told me what he thought. What do you expect the manager to do when the player is thinking about to leave?
‘I will say again: the fans, former players. What will Peter Reid say if a player goes to the manager and says he does not want to be here?’
Asked why he decided to use Reid as specific example, the Spaniard replied: ‘I know Peter Reid and I know how passionate he is about defending the club.
‘I am using him as an example so that people understand my idea. I don’t try to criticise anyone. Everyone has their opinions.
‘When I was talking about Peter Reid, it was about someone who cares; who was always pushing for the best from everyone on the pitch. That was the idea.
‘So when I talk about that, I’m talking about myself also wanting everything from the players. When they do not do that, I can be upset.’
Benitez questioned Digne’s mentality and suggested the full-back was more concerned about his individual stats than Everton’s success and league position, with the Toffees currently languishing down in 15th place.
‘I’m a professional and I try to manage. Since my first day here, I know what the fans want. When you are not winning, it’s more difficult.
‘But the reality is we need players who want to be here, for any reason. Talking about individual stats when the team finished 10th? It means nothing to me.
‘We need a winning mentality, we need ambition and we need to do things in the right way. Everyone knows each other here really well.’
Digne has made 125 appearances for Everton in all competitions since completing a £18million move from Barcelona back in August 2018.
It’s understood the Toffees are demanding a fee in excess of £25million for the former Paris Saint-German and Lille star.
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