Report: Newcastle battling Chelsea for £119k-a-week PL star

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Newcastle United are interested in signing Everton defender Lucas Digne during the January transfer window, according to a report from the Sunday Mirror (19/12; page 68).

Digne looks to be facing an uncertain future at Goodison Park. He has not been named in any of the Toffees’ last three match day squads.

The Telegraph reports that he had had a falling out with Rafa Benitez earlier in the month, before then missing the game with Chelsea due to illness. And it would now appear that Everton are on the verge of strengthening their options at left-back.

Vitaliy Mykolenko looks to be on his way to Merseyside. And with that, Digne is now attracting the attention of a number of Premier League rivals.

The Sunday Mirror (19/12; page 68) reports that Newcastle want the Frenchman. Meanwhile, both Chelsea and Leicester City are interested in the 28-year-old.

It is not clear how much Everton would want for Digne, or whether they would even want to sell. But it is suggested that they are in a strong negotiating position due to the contract he signed earlier this year. He apparently earns £119,000-a-week.

Newcastle face tough battle convincing Lucas Digne to Toffees for Tyneside

Newcastle’s job of convincing targets join in January looks difficult enough. So it probably would not help if they are competing with sides such as Chelsea and Leicester for the Everton man.

Having said that, it would appear that they are in a strong position to convince Kieran Trippier to make the move. And if Digne is prioritising guaranteed first-team football, a move to St James’ Park may well appeal.