In spite of expectations that he would leave Aston Villa during the transfer season, the £25 million star has stayed at Villa Park this summer.
Aston Villa have performed a “U-turn” on the future of left-back Lucas Digne, as journalist Dean Jones provides an internal update to GIVEMESPORT on the star’s chances of remaining a regular at Villa Park.
Aston Villa transfer news – Lucas Digne It has been an interesting few years for Digne at Villa Park, as he nearly found himself leaving the club prior to the summer market’s deadline.
With enthusiasm surrounding his signing, Villa outbid Chelsea, Newcastle United, and West Ham United for the former France international’s services. But after a year had passed, Digne realized that his time with the West Midlands powerhouse was running out after Emery’s team officially announced the £13.3 million acquisition of Real Betis left-back Alex Moreno.
When Digne was about to exit, the Spanish full-back eventually dribbled onto Emery’s side in front of him. Despite his limited playing time, the club is reluctant to move Digne because Moreno’s injury has forced him to start this season on the left side of defense.
The 30-year-old has reportedly been a target for Saudi Pro League team Al Hilal, according to a report from the MailOnline at the beginning of August. Ruben Neves, a midfielder for Wolverhampton Wanderers and from Portugal, as well as Kalidou Koulibaly, a center back for Chelsea and from Senegal, had previously agreed to join the Middle Eastern powerhouse. They added Paris Saint-Germain and Brazilian sensation Neymar later in the window. A move to Saudi Arabia never happened, and it appeared that Digne would stay in Villa Park when the market closed.
However, RMC Sport reported that OGC Nice were close to signing the left-back who had previously been praised as “fantastic” by former Everton and current Fulham manager Marco Silva. However, Emery said at the end of August that Digne was more likely to stay than to leave because the team needed two reliable left-backs (via BirminghamLive):
