Liverpool and Spurs to battle over French World Cup winner
Speculation surrounding PSG defender Lucas Digne's future has been growing amid suggestions the 20-year-old is a target for Liverpool and Tottenham. Here, talkSPORT’s Transfer Spotlight reveals all you need to know about the France U21 international
Name: Lucas Digne
Date of birth: 20 July 1993
Birthplace: France
Position: Left-back
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
International: Seven France U21 caps
Honours: 2013 U20 World Cup
What’s the latest?
Digne had an opportunity to join Liverpool last summer, but opted for the big money move to PSG, who spent €15m (about £12m) to take him from Lille in July 2013. In October, talkSPORT reported that the U21 international had no regrets in turning down a move to Anfield despite only two appearances for his new club. However, he has reportedly grown frustrated at his continued lack of first-team opportunities with Maxwell in front of him, meaning he is almost certain to miss out on Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the World Cup in Brazil. Both Liverpool and Tottenham are seemingly unconvinced with their strength at left-back, and Digne may now be temped to move to the Premier League and win a regular spot in his national side.
Did you know?
1) Digne has represented France at six levels between U16-21, but has yet to make his debut for the senior side. He helped France’s U20 squad win their first World Cup in 2013, after they beat Uruguay on penalties in the final with Juve's Paul Pogba captaining the side.
2) He has also been scouted by both Manchester clubs and Barcelona in the past, drawing comparisons with established French internationals Patrice Evra and Gael Clichy. Digne is also capable of playing as a left-sided midfielder.
3) An attacking left-back, he likes to push forward with reguar lung bursting runs and provide an option down the left-hand side. However, his crossing can let him down and is considered his main weakness that needs to be improved. He has an exceptionally long throw, however.
4) Digne is quick and confident on the ball, with a strong pass completion statistic of 90 per cent this season. Defensively, he is conservative in tackling but his pace and movement make him reliable in breaking up the opposition play through interceptions. He also has a strong leap, making him very capable in the air despite only being 5 ft 10.
5) He made his senior debut for Lille in the 2011/12 season, a time when they had Chelsea star Eden Hazard and West Ham’s Joe Cole on their books.
What is being said?
They say:
“Digne is a hope for French football. At PSG, he is with good players and knows that he must fight for his place. He is a hard worker and has a good mentality. I think he will progress, he just has to be a little patient.”
– PSG manager Laurent Blanc
"Lucas [Digne]’s throw-ins are like corners, and set-pieces are a scoring opportunity in the modern game."
– France U20 coach Pierre Mankowski
Video evidence
Watch Digne demonstrate why PSG spent big to secure his services from Lille last summer.