Aston Villa are set to announce another big-name signing with Lucas Digne arriving at Villa Park from Everton. Last week, the Villans shocked everyone when they announced the loan signing of Brazilian superstar Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona and now have beaten rivals to secure the former Barcelona full-back. Aston Villa are placed in 14th position in the Premier League table, 6 points behind 8th placed Wolves.
The 28-year-old French left-back was not happy at Goodison Park with the club’s recent performances this season. He handed the transfer request at the start of December and hasn’t been featured in Rafa Benitez’s squad since then. Digne arrived at Everton in 2018 from Barcelona and has scored 4 goals in 113 league appearances for the Toffees. He is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League and this is the statement move from Aston Villa.
Aston Villa are also negotiation a transfer with Serie A side Bologna over the signature of full-back Aaron Hickey but it is unlikely to proceed after the arrival of Lucas Digne. Lucas Digne will compete with English full-back Matt Target in the left-back position at Villa Park. Steven Gerrard has improved the Villans a lot since his arrival from Rangers and he is the big reason for Aston Villa to attract big-name players at Villa Park. It has been reported that Gerrard made a personal call to Philippe Coutinho who was on the verge of joining Arsenal.
Everton Want Aston Villa Midfielder Anwar El Ghazi In A Separate Transfer Deal:
Everton manager Rafa Benitez has had a great relationship with Steven Gerrard since his days with Liverpool. And now he is looking to take advantage of that to sign Anwar El Ghazi from the Villans. According to John Percy, Aston Villa are also interested in selling the Dutchman in this window for a transfer fee of £15 million.
The 26-year-old Dutch midfielder was in red hot form last season with 10 goals in just 28 league matches last season. But has failed down in pecking order in Steven Gerrard’s side this season. He has made just 9 league appearances this season, mostly from the bench, and has scored a goal and an assist. Douglas Luiz, Jacob Ramsey, and John McGinn are three preferred midfielders in Gerrard’s 4-3-3 formation, and the arrival of Coutinho has made it more difficult for El Ghazi.
Everton are struggling in 15th position with just 19 points from 19 league matches. They are 8 points safe to the relegation zone but Rafa Benitez is looking to finish this season in top-ten to avoid sacking at the end of this season. Both Fabian Delph and Gylfi Sigurdsson are expected to leave in the summer and Benitez has identified El Ghazi as a perfect replacement in the midfield.