Inter Milan are studying the conditions to sign Everton defender Lucas Digne in the January transfer window as a likely replacement for Ivan Perisic, according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Digne has fallen out of favour under Rafa Benitez and has not featured in their last three Premier League games. However, the full-back was in contention for a return at Burnley on Boxing Day, before the Toffees’ trip to Turf Moor was postponed amid their lack of players.
Nerazzurri Chairman Giuseppe Marotta and Sporting Director Piero Ausilio met to discuss possible targets recently. They are determined to have plans in place in case Aleksandar Kolarov, Matias Vecino, Stefano Sensi and/or Perisic leave the San Siro next year.
Inter Milan eye Digne as possible Perisic replacement
Perisic’s situation is the most pertinent in regard to Inter Milan eying a transfer for Everton star Digne. The Croatian is out of contract at the end of the season and is still to agree a new deal. So, his departure will force Marotta and Ausilio to sign a new left-sided option.
Inzaghi has suggested a handful of names, including Digne’s, as a possible replacement. He also admires Mohamed Fares from his time at Lazio before switching sides this summer.
As for Digne, the Inter Milan hierarchy consider a transfer for the Everton full-back as an investment in their future. They are now examining whether he will leave Goodison after falling out of Benitez’s plans and the sums likely required.
Inter can only afford to sign Digne on loan in January with an option to buy him come the summer. They may also struggle to present an onerous instalment for the temporary deal.
Everton under no pressure to accept cut-price Nerazzurri swoop
Everton are under no pressure to loan or sell Digne to Inter Milan in the January transfer window. He only signed a £119k-a-week, four-year contract in February and also has a raft of alternative suitors.
Reports by the Daily Mail have cited Newcastle United as holding internal talks over a mid-season move. The Mirror have also linked Chelsea and Leicester City. Calciomercato report Juventus are interested in seeing the former Roma loanee return to Italy, as well.
But Everton must resolve Digne’s situation soon, amid Inter Milan’s emerging interest in a transfer. That’s because 90min also claim the Frenchman has decided he wants to leave.
Perisic’s situation, therefore, may also be of interest to Everton as Inter Milan examine a transfer for Digne. L’Interista claimed last month that the Croatian features on the Toffees’ shopping list after the Merseysiders tested the waters in case he leaves the Serie A leaders.
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